“You spoke with her,” I confirmed my suspicion from earlier, knowing somehow that Max already knew why I was standing here late for work.
“I did and to say I’m surprised would be an understatement.”
“I feel lost,” Greg scratched his head as he looked back and forth between Max and I.
“Shhh. Just listen,” Chase patted his head and put a finger over his lips.
A laugh escaped us as we looked on to them, then Max turned back to me. A look of seriousness came across his face and I wasn’t sure what was about to come out of his mouth next.
“When she told me that you might be late for work, I was confused. Especially because my first though was that she was over at your house and I had no idea who was watching Amelia. Then I thought about it rationally and knew that she wouldn’t come over to your house.” Max stood from my chair and made his way around the desk to stand in front of me. “Then I asked her to explain.”
Max paused then, placing a hand on my shoulder. He looked from Chase and Greg and then back to me, almost like he was setting the mood.
“Get on with it, man!” Greg yelled.
“She told me she called you and left a message and that you called back later that night.”
“That’s pretty much what happened.”
“That doesn’t sound eventful.” My brother turned to me who had a pout on his face and I shot him a glare. I didn’t need commentary from the peanut gallery at this moment.
“Jack.” Max put his full attention to me, his hand tightening on my shoulder and he took a step toward me.
“I haven’t heard her sound like she did this morning in a very long time. Like she had a smile plastered on her face. Like, like she was happy.”
I stood straighter at Max’s words and made sure to listen to every single detail he had to say. A slight smile had come across his face and excitement bubbled in me at the possibility of what Melanie had said about me.
“You two talked about nonsense is what she told me. That the conversation didn’t have anything of real substance and that’s what she loved most about it. That it didn’t feel like it was a chore to talk to you.”
Max let my shoulder go.
“I know I shouldn’t be telling you all of this but I think it’s important you know how much you are impacting her.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me.” Max’s stern look was back on his face. “I have no idea what is going on with you two or where this might go but if you keep making her sound like that, then do what you have to, Jack.”
Max took a deep breath and tilted his head toward the ceiling with his eyes closed.
“Just please keep your promise. I can’t watch her break again.”
When Max looked at me again, his eyes were misted over and it had been a while since any of us had seen him like this. Not since him and Alexa lost the first adoption process. He looked pained but I understood what he meant.
“I told you before, Max, but I’ll tell you again. I won’t break her, I promise. I want her happy just as much as you do, if not more.”
“That’s pushing it.”
“It’s not. I want to make her happy but it’s not just about her. It’s about Amelia, too. I know she’s not open to that part of her life yet with me but I’m hoping to get there one day.”
“I hope so, too.” Max gave me one last nod before heading to the door. “Now get to work, you’ve got plenty to makeup today.”
“Yeah.” Greg stood next and strutted his way toward me, giving me a pat on the shoulder. “Next time, text me, maybe I could have held him off a little bit longer.”
“Like you could hold Max off.” Chase grabbed for Greg’s arm and led him out of my office.
I closed the door behind them all and silence finally filled the room. I thought back to talking to Melanie last night and her text from this morning and pulled out my phone. Nothing else from her but I shot her my own message.
Thanks for lightening the blow with Max.
