The Disbanded: Divided We Stand-Chapter 10

By MyNameIsCAB

--Max's POV--

"Max, really, we don't have to go shopping," Fang protested.

"Do you really think you can live with only three sets of clothes? If you're living with me, you're going to wear clean ones every day," I frowned at him.

He sighed and got into the car. I folded up his wheelchair and put it into the back seat. We were heading to the mall so he could buy some clothes.

"Maybe you oughta get some pants so you're not so cold. You know, winter's coming," I suggested. I noticed Fang was almost always in shorts.

"Shorts were cheap, Max," Fang said. "I couldn't afford much. I only had what you left in that backpack. Besides, they're more comfortable to wear."

"Yea, I was wondering how you were paying for your meds." That made sense now. I had forgotten about that money in all the confusion and anger I had. Somehow, I was glad I left that money.

We walked out of the mall with five bags of clothes. I had probably spent more on these clothes than what I would spend in a whole month on food. But that was only because most of the time, I ate with the team from headquarters and they never let me pay.

"So we're having dinner with Ted?" Fang questioned me.

"Yes, we are," I nodded. "But we gotta make one more stop before we go."

"Where?" asked Fang.

I sighed. "I gotta buy you formal clothes."

"Why didn't you buy it from that store in the mall?"

"Because where we're going, I get discount because Captain Ramirez's wife owns the store," I answered.

I put the bags in the trunk and helped Fang into the car. The store was only a minute away, and we were parking before Fang could even buckle his seat belt.

"Well hello, Max," Mrs. Ramirez smiled. "How can I help you?"

"I need a suit for him," I replied, pointing to Fang. "And I guess a tuxedo."

"A tux? Why?" Fang asked.

"Because, formal dinners and stuff for my work," I answered. "I get to bring a guest and now that you're here, you're that guest. It's tuxedos for those formal dinners and stuff."

"Then what's with the suit?" he said with a raised eyebrow.

"Why do you have to be so difficult? For the same reason, just if the occasion is less formal," I sighed.

"You really want to bring me?" Fang said, standing up so Mrs. Ramirez could measure the size for his tux and suit. "I look like an idiot in a wheelchair."

"No you don't," I told him.

He frowned.

"I'm serious, you don't." And I meant that.

It took a half hour, but we finally got Fang measured and found the perfect tux and suit for Fang. He actually looked really nice, I had to admit. Mrs. Ramirez packed up the suit and tux for us.

"Here, half price, that's your discount for today," Mrs. Ramirez said.

"Mrs. Ramirez, you shouldn't," I said.

"Ted was here earlier. He told me about your friend there. Half price, Max, don't argue," Mrs. Ramirez smiled.

I nodded, giving in and she took my credit card, swiping it. "Thanks."

We left the store, saying good bye to Mrs. Ramirez. Even Fang tried to put on a smile. Suddenly, my phone starting buzzing.

"Answer it," I handed it to Fang. "It's Messina."

I hung up the suit and Tux in the back seat of my car. Fang got in, still talking on the phone and I folded up his wheelchair once again. Getting into the driver's seat, I saw Fang hang up my phone.

"What did he want?" I asked.

Fang looked up at me. "Carter…He….Max, he died."

"What…No…." How could Carter die? The doctors told us he would be fine.

"Ted said that Carter got an infection and it got bad," Fang added. "I'm sorry."

I shook my head. "There's nothing you could have done. Let's go to dinner now."

Fang nodded. We rode in silence until we reached the steakhouse. I parked next to Messina's car.

"Max, are you okay?" Fang asked me.

I stared out the front of my car, wondering if I was okay. I probably wasn't, but I wasn't going to break down and cry right now.

"Max?"

"Yea, I'm fine," I said, but it felt like those words barely came out.

Someone knocked on my side window. It was Messina. "Hey, Max. You sure you still want to have dinner tonight?"

Messina looked like he had been crying. I rolled my window down. "Only if you want to."

He wiped his eyes and tried to smile. "I still owe Fang a steak. Come on, we have a reservation anyway."

I nodded and got out of the car, getting Fang's wheelchair, we went inside together.