Rein Him In

Three days later Dora finally caught up with Max in building B. She couldn't understand how the man still had this much energy while going through his cancer treatments. It was true he didn't get around as fast or as far, and often wore a pinched, exhausted look, but damn he could still move.

"Hey Max, do you have a second?" She asked him.

Max pulled up and turned to look back at the administrator. "Sure, what's up?"

"It's about J.C.."

"Has anyone complained about him?"

"No, not really," she began. "But—"

"The janitorial staff have a problem with him?" Max interrupted.

"No they say he helps put down and remove the wet floor signs, helps get the rags and stuff to the laundry."

"The laundry department?"

"No, he helps fold the towels."

"Burn unit?"

" He quietly visits the worst cases and reads to some of them."

"Pediatrics?"

"They love his energy and he plays with the kids."

" Oncology?"

" He's at ease with the lack of hair, IV's and vomiting."

" Geriatrics?" Max asked continuing to go through the list of departments.

"He actually managed to get Mrs. Ruhl to smile. And he's the only one that can get Mabel Mathis to walk the corridors like she's supposed to."

"Yeah, he sounds like a disaster. I better rein him in. Or perhaps we should give him a job here."

"He's a great kid Max, and he's been amazing here."

"But? I'm sensing a but."

"Well, I just spoke with Marion Lesky in the eye clinic and she said that the donation box they set up for people's old glasses had disappeared."

"Disappeared? Why would anyone want take old prescription eye wear?"

"The box is back now, but Marion had no idea how many pairs were in there so she can't say if any were taken. But—"

"Here's the but I've been waiting for."

"J.C. had been in there. He never goes in there."

"But he was and then—let me guess, the box disappeared."

"Yeah, something like that. Does he wear glasses?"

"No. He had his eyes checked at school at the beginning of the year. Passed with flying colors. Plus Georgia would notice if something was off at least I think she would. Or I would. Maybe. Besides why wouldn't he come to me if he had issues?

"Did she see him take the box?" Max asked.

"No. But he was in the office and she turned to get a form from the printer and when she turned back around he and the box were gone. She was home with her sick child for a few days and when she came back the box was sitting on the counter where it had been."

"And that's why it took her a few days to report it?"

"Yes. We obviously can't say J.C. took the box, but if you could talk to him about it. See if there was a reason he might take it. Perhaps there was a dare or scavenger hunt going on? But he needs to understand that he can't just help himself to hospital property and things that don't belong to him."

"Of course. I'll talk to him. But I have another conversation I have to deal with first."

Max quickly shifted gears and accompanied Bloom up to Iggy's office on the premise of a VIP needing to be attended to. But she soon discovered that she was indeed the guest of honor. When Max broke the reason as to why she was there her first response was an odd one.

"There's been reports that you've had issues with Adderall while on duty." Max explained as Iggy stood by waiting for his turn.

"J.C." Slipped from her lips before she could stop it. His face, their recent conversation had all pushed to the front of the line of logic. But as soon as she said she tried to suck it back in, a useless inhalation at best.

"What does my son have to do with this?" Max asked, clearly as concerned as he was confused.

"Nothing," she said shaking her head.

"Then why did you say his name?"

"I didn't," she balked. "I said, I see."

Max cocked his head in the typical manner which spelled out uncertainty and that the conversation would soon be revisited. He righted himself and then nodded, leaving the rest to Iggy. He had much to attend to and knew that Dr. Bloom, the patients and the hospital were in capable hands. He had confidence with what was about to happen in this modest office with a modest man who knew enough to right many of the wrongs that world assigned to those who could least handle them.

With the managerial obligations gobbling up all of his day, he barely made it to say goodbye to Lauren before she left for whatever time it would take her to get well. "You know we're all behind you. This hospital needs you, and I will personally support you in way that I can. I, we, just want you to get better."

"Thank you boss," she said with a weak smile.

"How often does J.C. visit the E.D.?" Max asked quietly as he looked off into the night.

"He doesn't know anything about my—my problem," she lied.

"Not what I asked." He said still looking into the distance.

"Two or three times a week. He never gets in the way Max, he just observes. He's a sponge, takes in everything, seemingly forgets nothing. It's like I can see him filing it all away. I know that you didn't want him in the E.D., but I think he's going to grow up to be amazing and I just wanted to be a part of that."

Max peered into the car and smiled. "Get well. You're already amazing and we want you back."

Max texted J.C. on his way back inside the hospital to meet him in his office. The response was slower than he had liked but several minutes later J.C. confirmed he was on his way.

"Are we going home?" J.C. asked, his eyes looking tired as he entered the office.

"Soon. Tired?"

"No," he lied. "I'm fine."

"Homework done?"

"Yep. All of it," J.C. said with a weak smile.

"Have seat kiddo," Max said waving towards the couch. J.C. plopped down, beginning to get suspicious. "Is there anything you want to tell me?"

He sat for a moment chewing on his bottom lip. "Why do I feel like there is no right answer here."

"You know the answer to that. What is always the right answer?"

"The truth."

"Then tell me the truth."

"About what?"

"How about being in the E.D. department."

"I don't—"

"How about I don't want to lie to my father." Max said raising his eyebrows.

J.C. let out a breath and looked down at the floor. "I go there sometimes. But I stay out of the way."

"How often did I tell you could go into the E.D."

"Never," J.C. admitted.

"Is sometimes more than never?"

"Yeah."

"So you disobeyed me."

"I guess."

"You guess huh? I think it's a little more black and white than that."

"Sorry."

Max sighed knowing how the allure of the forbidden so often tugged at a young boys heart. "Look, there are rules for being here. Not going outside, which you broke, not going into the E.D., which you broke. So what I am supposed to do?" J.C. shrugged. "Look kid, help me out. You have been such an asset here, but I can't allow you roam in places that you aren't allowed. Like the eye clinic, care to explain that?"

J.C.'s head snapped up. "The eye clinic?"

"Do you know anything about the donation box of glasses disappearing?"

"I put them back."

"So you do know?"

"I guess."

"You guess again.? A lot of guessing going on tonight." Max said trying to hide the smile that was threatening the corners of his lips.

"Paulie squints all of the time because she can't see. She has to sit up front. I wanted to find some glasses for her."

"Buddy, glasses have to be specific to each person. She needs a prescription."

"But her aunt won't take her for one. No money, no time. We found a pair that really help. They're even pink."

"Pink huh?"

"Yeah. Girls like pink," J.C. said, his statement matter-of-fact.

"Well, I'll give you a form to give to Paulie. If she can't get her aunt to fill it out and bring her in, then you bring Paulie in to see me and we'll see what we can do. Okay?"

"Okay," J.C. agreed.

"Meanwhile, no E.D., you go back there, you're grounded for a week and the apartment could use a good scrubbing if you get my drift."

"Got it. No E.D."

"And no stealing the donation boxes of any kind."

"I just borrowed the box and only stole one pair. But she needed the donation, so it was really just—donating."

Max shook his head. "Grab your coat, we're out of here."