Changing Past

Chapter 20: Refreshed

I called my mom and dad into the room frantically, and all of the tension disappeared as we all entered the room to find Max, weak and hurting, but alive.

"So where's my gift that I've been hearing all about?"

I laughed through my tears and stroked his hair causing him to wince a little at the subtle touch.

"Max you're gonna love it! It's a pocket watch that's engraved with your name. It's our great grandfather's. I found it in a pile of his old things.-"

"Hey... I was just kidding, but it sounds amazing."

This was the perfect way to spend Christmas Eve. Even though my brother almost died, he was here and all of my friends were here too. We all gathered around his bed and talked amongst ourselves. My parents looked stressed and I couldn't imagine why. We were all so happy. My dad walked up to the side of Max's bed and put his hand on the railing.

"Listen, son. Your mother and I fully supported your decision to enroll in the army. We thought on the bright side and said our son is going to be a hero, but then this happened and-. We just don't think you should participate in it anymore-"

"Mom...dad, in all due respect you can't control me. I'm 21 years old. I can take care of myself and anyone else who lets me."

"No you can't, look where you ended up. Look around you. You almost died."

My mom chimed in and came up beside my dad. Every conversation halted in the room.
I stared angrily at my parents for ruining this perfect moment. Before this, Josh and Danielle were being as cute as ever. Michael and Luke were sitting to either side of me and we were all talking about final exams.

And Max was being Max and nosied into our conversation saying how much he "Was glad he never went to college. It sounded like hell."

"I really don't want to talk about this now."

"Well we can talk now or later but we will talk. Max you might be 21 years old, but you can't even take care of yourself! I mean look at you. You were shot and for what?-"

I didn't want to hear this conversation any longer. We were perfectly happy a few seconds ago and now we all stood there awkwardly not knowing whether to stay or go.

"He saved millions of people."

"Alex don't get involved with this it's none of your business."

"Yes it is. He's my brother and I fully support him. He is a hero."

"He doesn't know the first thing about caring for anyone let alone himself! You don't know either you're just a child!"

"He raised me. While you were off doing what exactly? Going to care for people that weren't your family!"

"Now listen! Don't you EVER speak to your mother and I that way!"

"Or what! You're talking to him that way! He has been my hero and fatherly role model for my entire life. Sure you were there for the important stuff, but you were supposed to be there always! He took care of me when I cried or cut my knee. You did't."

Everything I said was true. I couldn't just let them talk about him like that. I've been holding this back for forever and it felt like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

"ALEXIS this is your last warning before I-"

"Before you what? You can't take away anything I have. I'm on full scholarship so you can't take me out of college. I pay for my own car. I live on my own. It sucks when you can't take away something, because it's not yours doesn't it? But it's okay because I love you guys. You're my parents and I respect you and your decisions, but I respect his more."