Gold Diggers - Chapter 45
Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2011 7:17 am
valentinebaby Yes, now that the truth is out, Michael and Alex’s relationship will change dramatically.
keepsmiling7 I had a shopping trolled in my first apartment. It served every function except as a bath, I think.
Earth2Mama It's true. If Michael had just talked to Alex, it might never have lead to Maddie and Maria. Sometimes, things work out for the best.
Alien_Friend Michael will find a way, eventually.
mddk98 Thank you.
Natalie36 Thanks
killjoy True. Michael's reasons are understandable. On the other hand...
Grace52373 You're right, Michael's actions were so wrong, and a lot of people are affected by what he did.
begonia9508 Yep, Michael needs to do a lot more than just say sorry. And he will. BTW, Alex was never in an orphanage. We'll get to that later.
mary mary Nope, Maria doesn't know that story, yet. Michael has told her some things, but at this point in their relationship, Maria doesn't believe a word he says, and why should she?
kay_b Yeah, Alex is great. I think he's in shock too though. The reality of what Michael was saying didn't really sink in yet.
Eva Good point, that fact that Michael sat down and talked to Alex is a pretty important moment for him.
sarammlover Nobody sets out to do the wrong thing deliberately, they always believe they're justified. Michael's not a bad person really, he's just messed up.
blxgyrl18 There's a chapter coming up, eventually, where Alex talks to his parents and we'll get a better insight into why the never told him the truth.
Maiqu No, Maria doesn't know. Yet.
mariegirl Yep, Alex is amazing.
big thanks to Michelle in LA for betaing this for me.
Gold Diggers –Chapter 45
Liz sank into the plush leather seat of the car Michael had hired for Maria and immediately felt out of place. She looked over at Maria who met her eyes and the two girls giggled at the absurdity of the situation. They quickly smothered their giggles when the driver climbed in.
When he was assured they were comfortable and ready to go, the driver started the car and pulled out of the parking lot. Behind them, the truck with all of Maria’s belongings followed.
Maria turned in her seat to look out the back window. “Bye apartment,” she said wistfully. The place had been her home for over a year and she was sad to be leaving it.
Liz laughed. “You’ll be back all the time to see me and Alex.”
“I hope so. I don’t think I would have seen you at all over the last few months if we weren’t living together.”
“I know, it’s been crazy,” Liz sighed. She brightened up. “My final exams start next week and once they’re out of the way, I’ll have a lot more free time. And now that you’re not working, you’ll have more free time too, so it’ll be easier.”
Maria reached across Maddie’s car seat and took Liz’s hand. “Let’s make a promise that we’ll find time for each other, no matter how busy we get.”
“I promise,” Liz said solemnly. “Don’t worry; I want to spend as much time as I can with my little niece.” She looked up at her friend and frowned. “Are you going to be ok, living with –” Liz glanced at the driver and lowered her voice. “Him.”
“It’ll be fine,” Maria assured her. “I can handle him. And besides, this is what’s best for Maddie. As long as I focus on her, it’ll be fine.”
Liz wondered if Maria really believed that or if she was just trying to convince herself it was true. She said nothing and the two girls lapsed into silence. Liz’s mind wandered to her grandmother. They had gone to see her the day before because Maria had wanted Claudia to meet Maddie. Liz smiled sadly. Claudia would have doted on Maddie and relished her role as great-grandmother. It hurt to think that she’d never really meet Maddie, or any of Liz’s children.
“What did you think of Grandma Claudia yesterday?” Liz asked.
Maria licked her lips nervously and worded her response carefully. “I thought she looked like very comfortable. They’re doing a great job taking care of her.”
“But, how do you think Grandma’s doing?”
“I…” Maria looked down at Maddie and sighed. “I think she’s starting to fail.”
Liz nodded. That’s what she had thought too. “In some ways, I kind of wish…” she trailed off, unable to finish her thoughts and feeling disgusted at herself for even thinking them.
Again, Maria took Liz’s hand and squeezed it gently. “It’s not wrong to think that, Liz. This isn’t what Claudia would have wanted for herself. But she’s being taken good care of and she’s being treated with dignity and respect there, and that would mean a lot to her, Liz.”
“I know.” Liz blinked back tears. “Thank you, Maria; I couldn’t have got through these past few months without you. I’m going to miss you so much.”
Maria smiled. “I’m only moving across town. I promise I’ll come see you all the time.”
Liz laughed and brushed her tears away.
“We’re here,” Maria said a few minutes later, pointing to the large apartment building.
“Wow,” Liz gasped. Even from the outside, the place looked impressive.
The car pulled to a stop in front of the building and doormen rushed out to open the door and help them out of the car. Liz had to bite her lips to stop an attack of the giggles. Maria refused to meet her eyes.
They traveled to the penthouse floor with the mover’s ‘Team Leader’.
A middle-aged woman with a mop of shocking red hair was waiting in the lobby when the elevator doors slid open. She welcomed them all inside warmly. “Come in, come in, I’m Oksana, Michael’s housekeeper. It’s so wonderful to meet you.”
“Uh, I’m Maria. This is my friend, Liz. This is Steve, from the moving company. And this is Maddie.”
Oksana almost wrenched the carrier seat from Maria’s hands as she cooed over Maddie. Maria handed it over and went to show Steve where the bedroom was and where she wanted everything to go.
When she came downstairs, Liz and Oksana were making faces at Maddie who regarded them with a bored expression. Maria laughed.
“She is so beautiful,” Oksana complimented. “What a little darling.”
“Thank you,” Maria smiled.
“Check out the presents,” Liz said excitedly.
Maria turned to where Liz was pointing and her eyes bugged. There was a mountain of gifts of all shapes and sizes piled neatly on a table and spilling over onto chairs and the floor beneath. “Are these for Maddie?”
Oksana nodded. “Yes. They’ve been arriving by the dozen since Friday.”
“Who are they from?” Maria asked. She picked up a basket wrapped in clear cellophane and peered inside.
“Business associates, people who’d like to be business associates, clients, employees, friends of the Evans’ family.”
“Friends of Michael?” Maria asked.
“I guess,” Oksana shrugged, not sounding convinced. “Michael left them for you to open.”
Maria clapped her hand excitedly and pulled Liz over to the presents. They surveyed the piled for a moment; neither of them had ever seen as many presents for one person in their lives.
Liz picked up a small box and handed it to Maria. “Start opening.”
Three hours later, Maria was bored of opening presents and she was only about half way through the pile.
She wished that she’d asked the movers to open them for her. They had been amazingly efficient and quick. Everything was unpacked and exactly where Maria wanted which was a new experience for her - when she’d moved into her last apartment it had taken her about four months to unpack everything.
Liz had gone to attend a group study session and Oksana had reluctantly dragged herself away and gone home. So Maria was alone in her new apartment for the very first time.
She eventually abandoned the present opening when Maddie woke up. Seeing Maddie in her new crib, surrounded by all the things Michael had bought her and in the room beautifully decorated just for her, brought tears to Maria’s eyes.
This is what made it all worthwhile. Maria could live in this new apartment with a man she hated and make it work, just to make sure that Maddie got the best life she could possibly have.
After putting Maddie down, Maria turned on the baby monitor and quietly left the nursery.
She paused in the hallway, staring at the closed door to Michael’s bedroom. She debated with herself for a minute before her innate curiosity got the better of her.
Maria carefully opened the door to the room, half expecting an alarm to go off or something. Her heart was beating in her chest for some reason and she quickly formulated an excuse, just in case she got caught – she’d gotten lost.
But no alarm went off, no cage fell from the ceiling, and nobody jumped out to stop her from entering.
The room was similar to the rest of the apartment: large and bright, furnished with the basic requirements and completely devoid of personality. It was spotlessly neat and clean, which probably had more to do with Oksana than Michael.
Maria was disappointed. She didn’t know what she’d been expecting but, she’d been hoping for something that would give her a clue about who the real Michael Evans was. Since the bedroom wasn’t going to give her any answers, Maria investigated the walk-in closet but that too turned out to be a bust; lots of expensive suits and shoes and a small amount of casual or sportswear. The bathroom didn’t yield anything either except the name of the cologne that Michael used. It wasn't a brand she'd heard of, but she really liked it on Michael.
Maria went back into the bedroom and sat on the bed, her hand poised on the nightstand drawer. Time to see what ‘reading material’ Michael took to bed at night. She pulled it open carefully.
Again she met with disappointment. There was a flashlight, tissues, a watch, and a packet of condoms, unopened and expired. She shoved the drawer closed, causing something inside to dislodge and roll forward.
Maria picked up the pill bottle and her mouth fell open in surprise. Viagra.
Why the hell did he have that? It wasn’t like he needed the help. Maybe he just used them recreationally; Maria had heard some people did that.
She was putting the bottle back in the drawer when something on the label caught her eye. They were for Michael Guerin.
Maria frowned, why would he get a prescription in his fake name? That was illegal.
She shook her head and returned the bottle to the drawer. She straightened out the cover on the bed so the telltale sign of an intruder was gone and left the room.
She’d just have to find another way to figure out who the real Michael Evans was.
He’d be arrested obviously. But a decent lawyer could argue justifiable homicide, or temporary insanity. The problem was that he wasn’t sure if his father would cough up for a decent lawyer and Max couldn’t afford even a half-decent lawyer. So he’d probably be facing life imprisonment. Bad as this job was, at least he got to go home at five o’clock.
“Max.”
He yelped and jumped off the seat at the sound of Nancy’s voice behind him, immediately wondering what he had done wrong this time.
“Your brother wants to see you in his office.”
Max breathed a sigh of relief. “I’ll just finish this and then I’ll go.” He counted the remainder of the pens, made a note in the ledger and left the confines of the office. He made his way slowly to the top floor where Tess waved him into Michael’s office.
“What’s up, bro? I came up here at lunch time but you were out.”
“I had a… meeting,” Michael said. “Were you looking for me for a reason?”
“No, just wanted to say hey.” Max waved his hand. “Hey.”
Michael grinned and returned the wave before turning serious. “Ok, I actually called you up here on a work-related matter. You know about our Junior Executive Training Program, right?”
Max shook his head, causing Michael to roll his eyes. “Right. It’s a training scheme where we take employees that show promise and potential and put them on an accelerated, intensive learning program. Different heads of departments nominate people for the program and they also act as mentors to one of the trainees.”
“And Nancy nominated me?” Max asked.
Michael laughed at the idea. “No. Nancy does not get to nominate anybody.” he pointed at himself. “I think it would be more beneficial to everybody if you’re on the program so I’ve decided to create a space on the program for you. It starts next week.”
“Does this mean that I wouldn’t be working for Nancy anymore?” he asked, not daring to believe it.
“Correct,” Michael confirmed. “Part of the program means that you’ll work in all departments, both here in the building and in some of our subsidiaries. You’ll be required to attend classes. It is pretty intensive. But we have a great success rate. It starts next week.”
Max was still so happy at the news that he’d be free of Nancy that he didn’t care how intensive the new program was going to be. Nothing could be worse. “I don’t suppose it comes with a pay raise?” he asked hopefully.
“Afraid not,” Michael said with a shake of his head. “There is a small expenses allowance, but… you’re kind of on shaky ground already, so if you’re going to use it, do so very, very carefully.”
Max nodded.
“And, I don’t think this needs to be said, but I’m going to say it anyway. If you drop out of this, I don’t think that Dad will give you another chance, so before you accept, think about it very carefully. Read the literature a couple of times. I’ll give you the names of a couple of people who’ve completed the program, and you should talk to them. If you decide that it’s not for you, or you’re not ready for it yet, I won’t say anything about it to Dad. I think you’re ready for it, but it is a tough eight months.”
“Thank you.”
“But wait, there’s more,” Michael grinned. “If you decide that you don’t want to do it, for whatever reason, there’ll be fifteen vacant positions and I’ll move you into one of them. There’s a couple where I think you’d do really well.”
Max’s smile got even wider. He could taste freedom. “Man, I could kiss you.”
Michael scowled. “Ok, but no tongue.”
“Spoilsport,” Max laughed. “Seriously though, thank you for this! I really appreciate it. I was this close to strangling Nancy with my bare hands.”
“Think you can stick it out for four more days?”
Max checked his watch. “Four days, one hour and twenty-five minutes.” He sighed. “I will perservere.”
“Poor Nancy, she’s really enjoyed having an Evans to kick around,” Michael laughed.
Max didn’t feel quite as sympathetic.
“There’s another reason that I wanted to talk to you,” Michael said, serious again. “Isabel.”
“What about her?”
“I think that she’s using again.”
Max frowned, giving it some thought. He hadn’t seen a whole lot of Isabel recently so he really couldn’t say for sure, but she had seemed extra bitchy the few times that he had. “Are you sure?”
“Not completely sure,” Michael admitted. “I don’t think it’s as bad as the last time - yet. If we step in, hopefully we can prevent her from going that way again.”
“Great.” Max rubbed his face wearily. “Fucking Isabel. So, are we talking intervention?”
“I guess,” Michael sighed. “Or, we should try and figure out how bad it is first and decide where to go from there. I think that we should wait and see before we tell Mom and Dad. If it’s a matter of going to AA or whatever, then we can keep it between us. If it’s more severe and she needs to go to a treatment facility, then we’ll tell them.”
Max nodded. “Agreed.” He hesitated to broach the next subject because he hated talking about Carla in front of Michael. He was always afraid that he’d give something away and Michael would figure out what he’d done. He cleared his throat. “Ahem… uh… the last time… it was Carla who was supplying her with the pills.”
“I’ve already spoken to Carla. She’s leaving LA for good this week,” Michael informed him.
“Good,” Max sagged in relief. “Good.”
“So, when do you want to talk to Isabel?”
“I know this sounds bad, but I can’t make it tonight,” Max said guiltily. “I was asked to do a few extra hours at the home and I need the money, so I’m going there right after work.”
“It’s ok. I should go home too. Maria and Maddie are moving in today.”
“Oh… How’re things going with Maria?”
Michael sighed. “Who knows?”
His phone rang and Michael answered it, he covered the receiver with his hand. “I have to take this.”
Max stood up. “Ok, thanks man. I’ll let you know about the training thing.”
keepsmiling7 I had a shopping trolled in my first apartment. It served every function except as a bath, I think.
Earth2Mama It's true. If Michael had just talked to Alex, it might never have lead to Maddie and Maria. Sometimes, things work out for the best.
Alien_Friend Michael will find a way, eventually.
mddk98 Thank you.
Natalie36 Thanks
killjoy True. Michael's reasons are understandable. On the other hand...
Grace52373 You're right, Michael's actions were so wrong, and a lot of people are affected by what he did.
begonia9508 Yep, Michael needs to do a lot more than just say sorry. And he will. BTW, Alex was never in an orphanage. We'll get to that later.
mary mary Nope, Maria doesn't know that story, yet. Michael has told her some things, but at this point in their relationship, Maria doesn't believe a word he says, and why should she?
kay_b Yeah, Alex is great. I think he's in shock too though. The reality of what Michael was saying didn't really sink in yet.
Eva Good point, that fact that Michael sat down and talked to Alex is a pretty important moment for him.
sarammlover Nobody sets out to do the wrong thing deliberately, they always believe they're justified. Michael's not a bad person really, he's just messed up.
blxgyrl18 There's a chapter coming up, eventually, where Alex talks to his parents and we'll get a better insight into why the never told him the truth.
Maiqu No, Maria doesn't know. Yet.
mariegirl Yep, Alex is amazing.
big thanks to Michelle in LA for betaing this for me.
Gold Diggers –Chapter 45
Liz sank into the plush leather seat of the car Michael had hired for Maria and immediately felt out of place. She looked over at Maria who met her eyes and the two girls giggled at the absurdity of the situation. They quickly smothered their giggles when the driver climbed in.
When he was assured they were comfortable and ready to go, the driver started the car and pulled out of the parking lot. Behind them, the truck with all of Maria’s belongings followed.
Maria turned in her seat to look out the back window. “Bye apartment,” she said wistfully. The place had been her home for over a year and she was sad to be leaving it.
Liz laughed. “You’ll be back all the time to see me and Alex.”
“I hope so. I don’t think I would have seen you at all over the last few months if we weren’t living together.”
“I know, it’s been crazy,” Liz sighed. She brightened up. “My final exams start next week and once they’re out of the way, I’ll have a lot more free time. And now that you’re not working, you’ll have more free time too, so it’ll be easier.”
Maria reached across Maddie’s car seat and took Liz’s hand. “Let’s make a promise that we’ll find time for each other, no matter how busy we get.”
“I promise,” Liz said solemnly. “Don’t worry; I want to spend as much time as I can with my little niece.” She looked up at her friend and frowned. “Are you going to be ok, living with –” Liz glanced at the driver and lowered her voice. “Him.”
“It’ll be fine,” Maria assured her. “I can handle him. And besides, this is what’s best for Maddie. As long as I focus on her, it’ll be fine.”
Liz wondered if Maria really believed that or if she was just trying to convince herself it was true. She said nothing and the two girls lapsed into silence. Liz’s mind wandered to her grandmother. They had gone to see her the day before because Maria had wanted Claudia to meet Maddie. Liz smiled sadly. Claudia would have doted on Maddie and relished her role as great-grandmother. It hurt to think that she’d never really meet Maddie, or any of Liz’s children.
“What did you think of Grandma Claudia yesterday?” Liz asked.
Maria licked her lips nervously and worded her response carefully. “I thought she looked like very comfortable. They’re doing a great job taking care of her.”
“But, how do you think Grandma’s doing?”
“I…” Maria looked down at Maddie and sighed. “I think she’s starting to fail.”
Liz nodded. That’s what she had thought too. “In some ways, I kind of wish…” she trailed off, unable to finish her thoughts and feeling disgusted at herself for even thinking them.
Again, Maria took Liz’s hand and squeezed it gently. “It’s not wrong to think that, Liz. This isn’t what Claudia would have wanted for herself. But she’s being taken good care of and she’s being treated with dignity and respect there, and that would mean a lot to her, Liz.”
“I know.” Liz blinked back tears. “Thank you, Maria; I couldn’t have got through these past few months without you. I’m going to miss you so much.”
Maria smiled. “I’m only moving across town. I promise I’ll come see you all the time.”
Liz laughed and brushed her tears away.
“We’re here,” Maria said a few minutes later, pointing to the large apartment building.
“Wow,” Liz gasped. Even from the outside, the place looked impressive.
The car pulled to a stop in front of the building and doormen rushed out to open the door and help them out of the car. Liz had to bite her lips to stop an attack of the giggles. Maria refused to meet her eyes.
They traveled to the penthouse floor with the mover’s ‘Team Leader’.
A middle-aged woman with a mop of shocking red hair was waiting in the lobby when the elevator doors slid open. She welcomed them all inside warmly. “Come in, come in, I’m Oksana, Michael’s housekeeper. It’s so wonderful to meet you.”
“Uh, I’m Maria. This is my friend, Liz. This is Steve, from the moving company. And this is Maddie.”
Oksana almost wrenched the carrier seat from Maria’s hands as she cooed over Maddie. Maria handed it over and went to show Steve where the bedroom was and where she wanted everything to go.
When she came downstairs, Liz and Oksana were making faces at Maddie who regarded them with a bored expression. Maria laughed.
“She is so beautiful,” Oksana complimented. “What a little darling.”
“Thank you,” Maria smiled.
“Check out the presents,” Liz said excitedly.
Maria turned to where Liz was pointing and her eyes bugged. There was a mountain of gifts of all shapes and sizes piled neatly on a table and spilling over onto chairs and the floor beneath. “Are these for Maddie?”
Oksana nodded. “Yes. They’ve been arriving by the dozen since Friday.”
“Who are they from?” Maria asked. She picked up a basket wrapped in clear cellophane and peered inside.
“Business associates, people who’d like to be business associates, clients, employees, friends of the Evans’ family.”
“Friends of Michael?” Maria asked.
“I guess,” Oksana shrugged, not sounding convinced. “Michael left them for you to open.”
Maria clapped her hand excitedly and pulled Liz over to the presents. They surveyed the piled for a moment; neither of them had ever seen as many presents for one person in their lives.
Liz picked up a small box and handed it to Maria. “Start opening.”
Three hours later, Maria was bored of opening presents and she was only about half way through the pile.
She wished that she’d asked the movers to open them for her. They had been amazingly efficient and quick. Everything was unpacked and exactly where Maria wanted which was a new experience for her - when she’d moved into her last apartment it had taken her about four months to unpack everything.
Liz had gone to attend a group study session and Oksana had reluctantly dragged herself away and gone home. So Maria was alone in her new apartment for the very first time.
She eventually abandoned the present opening when Maddie woke up. Seeing Maddie in her new crib, surrounded by all the things Michael had bought her and in the room beautifully decorated just for her, brought tears to Maria’s eyes.
This is what made it all worthwhile. Maria could live in this new apartment with a man she hated and make it work, just to make sure that Maddie got the best life she could possibly have.
After putting Maddie down, Maria turned on the baby monitor and quietly left the nursery.
She paused in the hallway, staring at the closed door to Michael’s bedroom. She debated with herself for a minute before her innate curiosity got the better of her.
Maria carefully opened the door to the room, half expecting an alarm to go off or something. Her heart was beating in her chest for some reason and she quickly formulated an excuse, just in case she got caught – she’d gotten lost.
But no alarm went off, no cage fell from the ceiling, and nobody jumped out to stop her from entering.
The room was similar to the rest of the apartment: large and bright, furnished with the basic requirements and completely devoid of personality. It was spotlessly neat and clean, which probably had more to do with Oksana than Michael.
Maria was disappointed. She didn’t know what she’d been expecting but, she’d been hoping for something that would give her a clue about who the real Michael Evans was. Since the bedroom wasn’t going to give her any answers, Maria investigated the walk-in closet but that too turned out to be a bust; lots of expensive suits and shoes and a small amount of casual or sportswear. The bathroom didn’t yield anything either except the name of the cologne that Michael used. It wasn't a brand she'd heard of, but she really liked it on Michael.
Maria went back into the bedroom and sat on the bed, her hand poised on the nightstand drawer. Time to see what ‘reading material’ Michael took to bed at night. She pulled it open carefully.
Again she met with disappointment. There was a flashlight, tissues, a watch, and a packet of condoms, unopened and expired. She shoved the drawer closed, causing something inside to dislodge and roll forward.
Maria picked up the pill bottle and her mouth fell open in surprise. Viagra.
Why the hell did he have that? It wasn’t like he needed the help. Maybe he just used them recreationally; Maria had heard some people did that.
She was putting the bottle back in the drawer when something on the label caught her eye. They were for Michael Guerin.
Maria frowned, why would he get a prescription in his fake name? That was illegal.
She shook her head and returned the bottle to the drawer. She straightened out the cover on the bed so the telltale sign of an intruder was gone and left the room.
She’d just have to find another way to figure out who the real Michael Evans was.
***
Max sat on a stool in the stuffy stationary closet, half his mind on the task of counting pens and half his mind on trying to work out the risks of murdering Nancy. He’d be arrested obviously. But a decent lawyer could argue justifiable homicide, or temporary insanity. The problem was that he wasn’t sure if his father would cough up for a decent lawyer and Max couldn’t afford even a half-decent lawyer. So he’d probably be facing life imprisonment. Bad as this job was, at least he got to go home at five o’clock.
“Max.”
He yelped and jumped off the seat at the sound of Nancy’s voice behind him, immediately wondering what he had done wrong this time.
“Your brother wants to see you in his office.”
Max breathed a sigh of relief. “I’ll just finish this and then I’ll go.” He counted the remainder of the pens, made a note in the ledger and left the confines of the office. He made his way slowly to the top floor where Tess waved him into Michael’s office.
“What’s up, bro? I came up here at lunch time but you were out.”
“I had a… meeting,” Michael said. “Were you looking for me for a reason?”
“No, just wanted to say hey.” Max waved his hand. “Hey.”
Michael grinned and returned the wave before turning serious. “Ok, I actually called you up here on a work-related matter. You know about our Junior Executive Training Program, right?”
Max shook his head, causing Michael to roll his eyes. “Right. It’s a training scheme where we take employees that show promise and potential and put them on an accelerated, intensive learning program. Different heads of departments nominate people for the program and they also act as mentors to one of the trainees.”
“And Nancy nominated me?” Max asked.
Michael laughed at the idea. “No. Nancy does not get to nominate anybody.” he pointed at himself. “I think it would be more beneficial to everybody if you’re on the program so I’ve decided to create a space on the program for you. It starts next week.”
“Does this mean that I wouldn’t be working for Nancy anymore?” he asked, not daring to believe it.
“Correct,” Michael confirmed. “Part of the program means that you’ll work in all departments, both here in the building and in some of our subsidiaries. You’ll be required to attend classes. It is pretty intensive. But we have a great success rate. It starts next week.”
Max was still so happy at the news that he’d be free of Nancy that he didn’t care how intensive the new program was going to be. Nothing could be worse. “I don’t suppose it comes with a pay raise?” he asked hopefully.
“Afraid not,” Michael said with a shake of his head. “There is a small expenses allowance, but… you’re kind of on shaky ground already, so if you’re going to use it, do so very, very carefully.”
Max nodded.
“And, I don’t think this needs to be said, but I’m going to say it anyway. If you drop out of this, I don’t think that Dad will give you another chance, so before you accept, think about it very carefully. Read the literature a couple of times. I’ll give you the names of a couple of people who’ve completed the program, and you should talk to them. If you decide that it’s not for you, or you’re not ready for it yet, I won’t say anything about it to Dad. I think you’re ready for it, but it is a tough eight months.”
“Thank you.”
“But wait, there’s more,” Michael grinned. “If you decide that you don’t want to do it, for whatever reason, there’ll be fifteen vacant positions and I’ll move you into one of them. There’s a couple where I think you’d do really well.”
Max’s smile got even wider. He could taste freedom. “Man, I could kiss you.”
Michael scowled. “Ok, but no tongue.”
“Spoilsport,” Max laughed. “Seriously though, thank you for this! I really appreciate it. I was this close to strangling Nancy with my bare hands.”
“Think you can stick it out for four more days?”
Max checked his watch. “Four days, one hour and twenty-five minutes.” He sighed. “I will perservere.”
“Poor Nancy, she’s really enjoyed having an Evans to kick around,” Michael laughed.
Max didn’t feel quite as sympathetic.
“There’s another reason that I wanted to talk to you,” Michael said, serious again. “Isabel.”
“What about her?”
“I think that she’s using again.”
Max frowned, giving it some thought. He hadn’t seen a whole lot of Isabel recently so he really couldn’t say for sure, but she had seemed extra bitchy the few times that he had. “Are you sure?”
“Not completely sure,” Michael admitted. “I don’t think it’s as bad as the last time - yet. If we step in, hopefully we can prevent her from going that way again.”
“Great.” Max rubbed his face wearily. “Fucking Isabel. So, are we talking intervention?”
“I guess,” Michael sighed. “Or, we should try and figure out how bad it is first and decide where to go from there. I think that we should wait and see before we tell Mom and Dad. If it’s a matter of going to AA or whatever, then we can keep it between us. If it’s more severe and she needs to go to a treatment facility, then we’ll tell them.”
Max nodded. “Agreed.” He hesitated to broach the next subject because he hated talking about Carla in front of Michael. He was always afraid that he’d give something away and Michael would figure out what he’d done. He cleared his throat. “Ahem… uh… the last time… it was Carla who was supplying her with the pills.”
“I’ve already spoken to Carla. She’s leaving LA for good this week,” Michael informed him.
“Good,” Max sagged in relief. “Good.”
“So, when do you want to talk to Isabel?”
“I know this sounds bad, but I can’t make it tonight,” Max said guiltily. “I was asked to do a few extra hours at the home and I need the money, so I’m going there right after work.”
“It’s ok. I should go home too. Maria and Maddie are moving in today.”
“Oh… How’re things going with Maria?”
Michael sighed. “Who knows?”
His phone rang and Michael answered it, he covered the receiver with his hand. “I have to take this.”
Max stood up. “Ok, thanks man. I’ll let you know about the training thing.”
***