The Adventures of Max and Leo: Keeping Max Company
Max spent an afternoon at the skate park, riding up and down ramps and performing tricks left and right in the process. Some of Max's friends and old basketball teammates were cheering Max on as he was landing those tricks. Some were screaming encouragements at Max, saying stuff like, "Go, Max!" "You got this one!" "You really have a gift!" After a couple of hours of skateboarding and trick performing, Max stopped, picked up his skateboard and exited the skate park. He was met by those friends and basketball teammates that were cheering him on and encouraging him.
"That was so awesome, Max," Marv said. "You seem to have so much fun out there."
"Yeah, I do," Max said. "I always anticipate when I get to do that."
"Well, I hope we can see you do that again," Harry said.
"So, I take it you want to wind down for a little bit," Alicia said.
"Yeah, I do," Max said. "I skateboarded for a couple of hours so I definitely need to settle down. Where are we going for me to do that?"
"We'll get you back to Leo's," Marv said. "It is kind of warm out here."
The group of people walked with Max back to Leo's house and then to Leo's bedroom.
"So, do you want me to just sit down or what?" Max asked.
"Yeah, just sit on the floor and we can sit around you and get you out of your skateboarding gear," Marv said. "Did you want to go barefoot and in your swimming suit?"
"That would be great," Max said and then sat down on the floor.
The girl that Max saved at the ocean on Labor Day sat behind Max, unstrapped his helmet and took it off. Marv and Harry sat down next to Max, unstrapped his elbow pads and removed them. Two more players from the old basketball team sat down near Max's knees, unstrapped his knee pads and took them off. Pete and Alicia sat down at Max's feet, untied Max's shoes and then took Max's shoes and socks off. Once everything was laid aside, the girl unbuttoned and took off Max's shirt and the two players from the basketball team loosened and took off Max's shorts, unveiling Max's Super Swimmer swimming suit. Once the shirt and shorts were laid aside, the girl massaged Max's shoulders, Harry massaged Max's back and Pete and Alicia massaged Max's feet. Max felt himself grow relaxed from the massages.
"Thank you all so much," Max said. "This all feels so amazing."
"Of course, Max," Pete said. "Maybe if you get tired from this, we can let you rest somewhere."
"Yeah, the couch is still pulled out for when you want to rest on it," Marv said.
"Great," Max said. "I was wondering why you all didn't put the stuff up."
"Yeah, we know you take naps every now and again," Harry said. "So, we decided to keep the sheets and stuff on the couch for you?"
"Awesome, thanks," Max said. "I might just go rest on the couch in a little while."
"Just let us know when you're ready," Alicia said.
The girl, Harry, Pete and Alicia continued to massage Max for about twenty more minutes. Max yawned, feeling sleepy from the massage.
Marv, noticing Max's yawning said, "Are you ready to go to the couch and lay down for a little while?"
"Yeah, I think I am," Max said.
Pete, Alicia, Harry and the girl stopped massaging Max and everybody that was sitting stood up. The group went with Max to the living room. Marv pulled back the blankets so that Max could lie down on the couch. Max lied down and then Marv placed the blankets over Max.
"Thanks, Marv . . . and thanks to everybody that made me comfortable and massaged me," Max said.
"Of course, Max, just get the rest that you need and maybe we'll get you a pizza for dinner," Marv said.
"Alright," Max said.
The group left Max alone to rest . . .
After a few hours of napping on the couch, Max woke up. He got up and went to Leo's room where some of the group was still there, playing some of the games that Leo had in his room. A few moments after Max came in, Marv noticed that Max was in the room and said, "Hey, Max, did you have a good nap? You were asleep for quite some time."
"I did," Max said. "I must have been really tired."
"Yeah, it happens," Marv said. "Some Saturdays, I am asleep until eleven o'clock so I can relate."
"So, are you all having fun?" Max asked.
"We sure are," Pete said. "I'm glad you had a nice, long rest."
"Me, too," Max said.
"So, are you hungry now?" Marv asked.
"I sure am," Max said. "Are we still up for pizza?"
"We sure are," Harry said. "After that, maybe you can play some games with us."
"I love the idea of a pizza and game party . . . just like old times," Max said.
"Sure is," Marv said. "I'll be sure to call the order in then."
"Awesome," Max said.
Marv went to a phone and called the order in . . .
After dinner, Max and some of his old basketball teammates and friends gathered together in Leo's bedroom and Max played a video game with Marv while some of the other people in the group did other things. While they were all doing their thing, there was a ring on Leo's landline phone. Marv went to answer it.
"Hello?" Marv asked.
"Hey, Marv, how's Max doing?" Leo asked.
"He's doing great," Marv said. "We just had pizza for dinner and Max took a prolonged nap after skateboarding for a couple of hours."
"That's wonderful," Leo said. "I really appreciate you and some of our other teammates and friends keeping Max company."
"I appreciate the opportunity," Marv said. "I've grown to really care about Max so I worry when he's not in good spirits."
"Yeah, we've picked up on that," Leo said. "So, can I talk to Max?"
"I'm sure he'd be happy to talk to you," Marv said. "Hey, Max, Leo's on the phone. He wants to talk to you."
Max went to where Marv was at and Marv handed Max the phone.
"Hey, Leo," Max said.
"Hey, Max, you sound happy . . . and rested," Leo said.
"Yeah, these people have really been a blessing to me, keeping me company, feeding me, making sure I get ample rest, playing video games with me to keep my mind occupied," Max said.
"Marv told me you've been skateboarding," Leo said.
"I did," Max said. "I've also played basketball and some of us have even swum."
"Awesome," Leo said. "So, how does it feel to be loved by so many in our school?"
"It feels great," Max said. "It's like I'll never be alone again. Thanks for making this happen, Leo."
"Of course, Max," Leo said. "Are you excited about our beach vacation?"
"I sure am," Max said. "So is a certain someone that we met when we went on a beach vacation over Labor Day weekend."
"She came, too?" Leo asked. "I'm sure you were super happy."
"I sure was," Max said. "It was so great to see her again. She came to see me again today."
"That's awesome," Leo said. "I'm glad you're in good spirits again."
"I owe it all to you and our friends," Max said. "I will forever be grateful. Thanks, Leo."
"Of course," Leo said. "I'll see you in a couple of days."
"I'll be here," Max said.
Max and Leo hung up.
"So, are you glad you got to talk to Leo?" Marv asked.
"I sure am," Max said. "I'm also grateful that Leo set all of this up for me."
"I know you are," Marv said. "Well, are you ready for us to continue the game?"
"I sure am," Max said. "Let's have some more fun."
Max and Marv returned to their video game.