The Adventures of Max and Leo: Curing Max's loneliness
Leo came to the living room of his house where Max was, with his bags all packed and ready to leave for computer camp.
"Well, Max, I'm off to camp," Leo said.
"I'm going to miss you while you're gone," Max said. "It won't be the same without you."
"I'll call you from time to time while I am there," Leo said.
"I hope you will," Max said. "I just hope I'll be okay without you."
"You will," Leo said.
"I do appreciate you letting me spend the last few days with you before you had to go," Max said.
"Of course, Max," Leo said. "Between the week we spent camping and the times at work, at the beach and doing other things, I've had a fun summer with you so far."
"Same here," Max said. "I just don't know how I'm going to be able to spend my week without you, Leo. I'm going to miss you."
"I'm going to miss you, too, Max, but you'll be fine," Leo said. "You made other friends during the school year so maybe one of them can spend time with you."
"I really wish I could go with you, Leo," Max said.
"I know you do," Leo said. "Just go do what you love to do or see if any of your friends from school or the basketball team can keep you company. Did I ever give you any of their numbers?"
"I don't believe you did," Max said. "So, I guess I'm at a loss . . ."
"You're not at a loss, Max," Leo said.
"But, I'm going to be lonely, Leo," Max said. "What am I going to do?"
Leo sighed and said, "I tell you what, Max. How about you go to my room and I'll see if I can send somebody to you."
"Okay, Leo," Max said. "I hope you can find somebody to send to me."
"I hope so, too," Leo said.
Max and Leo gave each other a hug. While they were yet hugging, Max started crying on Leo's shoulder.
"You'll be fine, Max," Leo said. "Somebody will come to keep you in good spirits until I get back."
Max and Leo hugged for a few more moments and then broke apart. Max wiped his eyes and face.
"I'll see you when you get back," Max said. "I know you're looking forward to our beach vacation as well."
"I am," Leo said. "We'll have fun together there when I get back."
"I know we will," Max said. "Bye, Leo."
"Bye, Max," Leo said.
Leo left the house while Max went to Leo's bedroom, sat down on Leo's bed, laid back and waited for Leo to send Max some company . . .
Later that day, Max continues to lie back on Leo's bed. He had moments where he dozed off and he had moments where loneliness had gripped him to the point where he regressed back into crying. While he was just lying there, Marv came into the bedroom and saw Max lying back on Leo's bed. Marv went to the bed, knelt down at Max's dangling feet, untied Max's shoes, took Max's shoes and socks off and then laid them on the floor. Marv then stood up and leaned over the bed where he could make eye contact with Max.
When Max saw Marv's face, Max said, "Hey, there . . . so, I guess Leo told you why I was here."
"Yeah . . . Leo told me you would miss him while he would be gone to camp," Marv said.
"And I do already . . . just thinking about a whole week without him just gets to me," Max said. "I feel so lonely without him."
"He told me he figured you would while he was gone," Marv said. "That's why I'm here. I want to keep you company until he gets back."
"You do?" Max asked.
"Yeah, I do," Marv said. "Well, me and some of our old friends from school and the basketball team. Leo's rallying you support."
"He is?" Max asked.
"Yeah, he's going all out to make sure you're happy while he's gone," Marv said. "So, you're going to get an outpouring of support."
"You know, that would make me feel so much better," Max said. "So, who else is coming?"
"Well, they're actually in the backyard, where the pool is," Marv said. "I took the liberty of getting you barefoot. You just got to finish the transformation into your superhero."
Sitting up, Max said, "So they want to see the Super Swimmer?"
"They are eager to see him again," Marv said. "So, go on, finish the transformation."
Max got off the bed, took his shirt off and then took his shorts off, unveiling his Super Swimmer swimming suit.
"Well, I'm ready," Max said.
"Cool, let's go," Marv said.
Max followed Marv out of the bedroom, through the living room and through the kitchen and out the back door to the backyard full of people from the basketball team and the school.
"Hey, guys, I heard you were out here," Max said.
"Yeah, Leo arranged for us to all come out and see you," Harry said. "He knew you needed some company while he was out at camp."
"Yeah, Max, I know you miss your best friend when you don't get to see him," Pete said.
"And if it helps, I miss him, too," Alicia said. "He was such a great classmate to work with this past school year."
"Oh, yeah and there's another special person that wants to see you," another member of the old basketball team said.
The crowd took a few steps back, opening a path to the pool. There in the middle stood the girl that Max saved at the beach on Labor Day weekend.
"Hey, Super Swimmer," the girl said.
Max ran to her and the two shared a hug. The team, looking on, said, "Aww."
After the hug, Max said, "I'm so glad you were able to come."
"Yeah, I'm going to be here for a week or so," the girl said. "I heard you and Leo are going to the beach after he gets back from camp."
"Yeah and we'll be there for about a month," Max said. "Are you going to spend any time at the beach while we're there?"
"Yeah, I'll be there for a few days while you and Leo are there," the girl said.
Max sat down on the ground. Feeling like crying, he said, "I'm so glad you all came . . . I feel blessed to have you all come here to keep me company while Leo is at camp."
The girl sat down at Max's lap and said, "We don't want you to be lonely."
"I know," Max said and shared a hug with the girl again. Max cried on the girl's shoulder while hugging her. After the hug, the girl continued to sit on Max's lap while Max wiped his eyes and face.
"I know you miss Leo," the girl said. "It's like a piece of your life is gone for a week."
"Yeah . . . a big piece," Max said. "But, this helps . . . a lot. Thank you all so much."
"Of course, Max, we all care about you," Marv said.
"I'm glad you all do," Max said.
"In fact, I got the float out and on the pool whenever you are ready for it," Harry said.
"Thank you," Max said. "I guess I better let my mind rest and relax."
"Yeah, you'll feel a lot better when you do," Marv said.
"Yeah, you should get on the float," the girl said.
"I will . . . did you want someone to take your shoes off so you can put your feet in the water?" Max asked.
"I'd love that," the girl said.
"I'll get them for you," Marv said and then knelt down at the girl's feet, untied her shoes, took her shoes and socks off, laid them aside and rolled her pant sleeves up.
"Thank you," the girl said as Marv got up.
"Sure thing," Marv said. "Let's get Max on the float so he can rest."
"Alright," the girl said and got up and went to the edge of the pool, sat down and dipped her feet in the water. Max got up and went to the edge of the pool where the float was at and got on the float before Harry let it drift freely.
"Thanks, guys," Max said. "I'm really glad you all came to see me."
"Of course, Max," Harry said.
"So, how long will you all be here?" Max asked.
"Some of us will be here for a little while," Harry said. "But, while Leo's at camp, some of us that do leave will come back during his week at camp."
"Yeah, don't worry, someone will be here to keep you company," Marv said. "I know I'll spend a night or two here."
"Awesome," Max said. "I really appreciate you all making an effort to keep me company."
"Of course, Max," Marv said. "Just get some rest and maybe we'll find some way to get you fed after a while."
"I will," Max said.
Max closed his eyes and fell asleep on the float while the basketball team and Max's friends watched him drift to dreamland.