Saving Max

Chapter 1

It's been one month since Max first showed up at the hospital, all broken and bruised before my eyes. A whole month of anxiously waiting for Friday to come so I could rush to the hospital and see him.

Today is no different.

Not even bothering to retrieve my lab coat from off its dingy hanger I make my way to the back room, a Burger King kids meal box clutched tightly in my hand. One thing I've learned about Max in the last month is that above all else, he loves Jr. Whoppers. If he doesn't, then he hasn't bothered to share that bit of information with me. Not that he ever does. The first day I spent with Max was the most I have ever talked with him. I try to make small talk as much as I can; ask him how school is going, what his favorite color his, but normally don't receive any response. That last question, though, he surprisingly answered.

The next Friday he received a green key chain from the hands of yours truly. Not the greatest present for a little boy, I know, but I couldn't find a green toy car or anything, so he had to settle. Every Friday since then I've seen the chain hanging out of his shorts pocket, the sight always able to put a smile on my face.

"Hey, Max." I greet him quietly as I enter the room, taking notice that he's seated himself on the chair instead of the bed. He doesn't reply to me but does look up to acknowledge my presence with a flash of light coming to his eyes. Sending him a warm smile I kneel down next to him, placing the meal-box in his lap. Mumbling a quick thank you under his breath, his small hands open up the box, bringing the whopper immediately to his mouth.

"I'm going to go check on everything," I tell him quietly. "I'll be right back."
Walking out of the room, I look over my shoulder to see Max staring up at me, an unreadable expression on his face.

"When you get back, do you think we could keep reading the book?" He asks me, his voice small and timid in the quiet room. Smiling at him, I nod, stepping back out into the hallway.  Making my way down to Christian's room, I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. Picking it up, I see that it's Katie and instantly answer, met with a squealing shrill in my ear.

"Did you hear?" She shrieks, the loudness of her voice making me jump a little in surprise.

"Here what? You now I don't keep up with gossip." I tell her, leaning tiredly against the cool, white wall behind me.

"Caden Parker is back in town." She says, her voice dropping deathly quiet like it's some sort of secret that needs to be kept.

"What?" I ask, unable to stop my voice going high with shock. Even if I'm not big on drama, this is something that never fails to intrigue me. Caden's always had stories following him in this town, and when it comes to him, one can't help but listen.

"How's that for petty gossip? I'm just-" She rambles, her voice sounding smug right before I cut her off.

"Katie," I say sternly, causing her to stop mid-sentence. I don't have time to put up with her bragging. If Kelsey caught me slacking off from work I'd be dead.

"Mm?" She hums in response, reacting coolly to my abruptness.

"Explain. Now." I tell her, huffing out a short breath.

She takes a second to collect herself before speaking, preparing the whole story for me to hear. "Well, his dad put out a thing on Facebook saying something along the lines of 'his disappointment of a son is back from school, and that his ass better be whooped into shape or he's getting kicked out for good," Katie says, huffing out a satisfied breath one she's finished.

"He said that?" I ask in disbelief, pushing myself off the wall with the heel of my foot to start pacing the hallway.

"Mhm." She replies. "The whole town is talking about it. Everyone knows the trouble he caused before he left, and they aren't happy that he's back. Even the elders are talking about it. I passed a couple on the street and I heard his name, followed by a couple of words my own grandmother wouldn't dare say out loud." She adds in a lighter tone, making me let out a loud laugh.