David's Family

Chapter 3

Early the next morning, Max grabbed his backpack of stuff and snuck off to the Camp Mobile. Chucking his bag over the back seats, he climbed into the trunk and leaned against the back seats, waiting silently with baited breath.
The front door opened and the car swayed a bit as David got in.
"Send her my condolences," Max heard Gwen say, and frowned suddenly. Who the heck was 'her'?
"I will." David shut the door and started the ignition, and Max settled in for the ride into the city.
It was silent. David didn't listen to the almanac for the several hour trip, which confused and almost worried Max. But this was David. Nothing could go wrong in his life, right? He was far too positive for that.
Max was jerked out of a small nap when the car stopped and David got out. Max peered out the window and his blood ran cold at the sight of the hospital.
He realized he was going to miss his chance to get in and hurried out of the car, carrying his backpack with him. Staying a little ways behind, he followed David into the building and down the halls.
They came to a door in a part of the hospital Max didn't recognize. Not that he came here often, but he didn't even know this part existed. He recognized some of the technology as extreme radiation tools, and his stomach sank with sudden realization.
This was where cancer patients were kept.
David pushed open a door and left it slightly ajar as he walked in and sat on the bed next to a frail woman. Max didn't dare touch the door as he peered in, hiding behind the door.
"Hey mom..." David murmured, taking a wrinkled and small hand in his calloused large ones. The woman stirred and looked up at David before smiling an almost calm smile, even though she seemed on the edge of death.
"Hey there David..." she murmured softly.
"... I heard they're planning on pulling the plug tonight..." his voice got quiet. Max felt cold, and his chest ached.
"I'm afraid so."
"I'm sorry I couldn't do more. I've been trying my best to get that promotion and finish paying for your therapy but-"
"Hey." She reached over and set a hand over David's. "It's alright, sweetie. You did your best, and that's all that counts."
Max could see tears welling in David's eyes and the counselor nodded.
"Show me that bright smile of yours, will you?"
David wiped his face on his arm and smiled weakly at his mother. The scene broke Max's heart into a million pieces and he forgot he was supposed to be hiding as he accidentally opened the door a bit more by leaning against it, causing it to creak.
The adults both looked over.
"M-Max?" David's voice was shaking. "What are you doing here?"
"I-I was just..." Max looked down at the floor. "I'm sorry..."
David sighed and rubbed his face with a hand. "Could you just.. wait outside a minute? Please?"
"Yeah.... Yeah." Max turned and left the room, sitting with his backpack outside.
After a few minutes David came out and shut the door gently behind him before looking at Max.
Max looked up at him. "So... your mom..."
David sat down beside Max, setting his elbows on his knees. "What about her."
"... she's dying."
"Yup." David didn't make eye contact. "We didn't have enough money to keep treating her. So they're taking her off life support tonight."
Max looked down at the floor, holding his backpack. "... what about your dad?"
"Separated to divorce when I was a kid."
"... how." Max looked up at David. "How do you manage being so happy and positive when your life is so... horrible?"
"Because it's what my mom would've wanted. And my dad. And it's not horrible, Max." David looked at him. "I have you, and Gwen, and the other campers to keep me happy. Yeah, I might be hurting on the inside. But there's no reason to bring all of you down with me. So... I stay happy. For you. And because of you." David smiled a bit weakly.
Max looked at him, holding back tears.
David stood up. "Come on. Gwen'll kill me if I don't make sure you get back safe tomorrow."
Max slid off the chair and followed David, shouldering his pack again and watching the counselor. How much different he seemed away from camp.
Not that Max could blame him.