Max is Forgiving

Justin

If Justin had to guess, he'd probably only had about three hours of restless sleep. Every whimper Max made in his sleep brought Justin to thinking something was wrong with Max. Of course, if there were, it would have all been Justin's fault.

Around six in the morning, just as the sun was coming up, Justin snuck out of Max's bed. He calculated just how he was going to make everything up to Max as he took a shower. It had to be special. Everything Max would dream about. True dreams. Not nightmares. Something that might say 'I'm sorry' and 'I love you' at the same time.

It was like playing a game of connect the dots how simple the plan formed in his head. Jumping out of the shower, Justin quickly dried off. He didn't have much time. There were so many calls to make. And a hint of magic to do.

After everything Justin could do was done, Justin went back over to Max's room. Max's mouth hung wide open. He lied on his back. The blanket was crinkled up over Max's body except for his naked chest and foot still in its sock. Justin grabbed Max's toes and shook his foot. Max took a deep breath in as his eyes popped open and he sat stiff up. His hair was all a mess.

"Oh, hey," Max had a slight tone of disappointment.

"Get up and get a shower."

Max pulled the blanket over his head.

Justin yanked it off of him.

"What do you want?" The hate in Max's eyes put an instant lump in Justin's throat.

"I'm trying to say sorry. Let me." Justin's eyes glassed over.

"Give me an hour."

Justin went downstairs, unsure if Max would come down. He sat on the couch praying to be able to make it better. He felt so dumb for the first time in his life. His fingers tapped against the soft fabric of the couch.

A light rap at the door gave Justin a startle. Justin leapt up to answer it. It was eke, just as he expected, arms filled with the red roses that Justin requested.

"Whoever these are for must be pretty special," Zeke commented with a slight edge in his voice.

"Justin let that roll around in his mind. "He is." He let it out.

Zeke tossed the roses down on the kitchen table. "Um…okay… better go now." He hustled about to try to get out of the house.

Justin grabbed his wrist. "Wait!" he pleaded. When Zeke turned around, Justin continued. "Thank you. You are an amazing friend. I'm sorry if I ever wronged you."

Zeke shook his head slowly. "Thanks. I need to go now. I'm teaching for a social studies teacher all semester. I need to get ready for tomorrow." Zeke quickly left.

Justin pondered what was going on with Zeke as magically pulled all the peddles off the roses and had them flying about.

Max walked down into the room. "It's snowing red?" Peddles gently brushed against Max's face.

Justin rushed over to Max and linked his arm in his own. Max pulled away.

"Max, I have a surprise for you, but we have to leave now," Justin said trying to hold back how frantic he was feeling on the inside.

Max rolled his eyes and followed Justin out the door.

The two boys were very quiet as they walked down the sidewalk. Gravel crunched under their shoes. Max gave Justin many creepy side glances. Justin tried to ignore what must have been going on in Max's head. Asking for forgiveness was going to be such a bitch.

They headed toward the park. Max narrowed his eyes. "What do you have planned?"

Justin shrugged with a polite smile on his face. Timing was everything. If this didn't work out, everything would be ruined.

But, there she was, Ms. Miller walking her five large dogs. Yes, Justin thought. This would work.

The dogs bounded up to Max and tackled him to the ground, licking his face. Max giggled as they did that. He loved those dogs.

"You Russos are going to be the death of me," Ms. Miller shouted.

Max got up and patted the dogs on the head.

As Ms. Miller pulled her dogs away from Max, Max still had a smile on his face.

Justin stood hesitantly by with his fists shoved in his pocket, waiting for Max's next move.

"That wasn't a fair move."

"Neither is this next one." Justin grabbed Max's hand and ran with him toward a hot dog vender. He purchased two hot dogs and handed one to Max with only ketchup and left his own plan.

"Hot dogs? For breakfast?" Max's eyes filled with awe.

Justin shrugged and took a bit. When he finished chewing and swallowing, he said, "It's something you always wanted, right?"

"I mean, you eating them for breakfast is weird. Are you feeling alright?"

The boys had begun to stroll, but Justin stopped. "No. I'm not. I feel horrible for what I did in the past, Max. I need to say sorry. I just don't know how. You're the only person−" Justin stopped himself before saying for me−"who I can always rely on."

Max dropped his hot dog on the ground. "Justin, the only reason I was mad at you was because I−" it was Max's turn to stop talking−"I don't think I should have had my first time with two people."

"Max, if I could take it back, I would."

Max nodded. "I know. I forgive you. But, you have to do something for me."

"Name it!" Justin's hands jumped up in his face together like he was praying.

"You watch two movies with me tonight that I pick out."

Justin smiled. "Done."

Sorry this chapter isn't the best and it took me so long. I have a couple more finished. I just need to read them before posting them. So, it shouldn't be so long.