Page 56 of Risk It All
I've always wondered if there was ever any animosity from Marjorie about my wealth compared to Springer's modest living. But as I look at her, I see she's not condemning me.
“Probably. There was this little girl who'd been sold into child labor and abused, but she was so full of life. Everyone she meets falls in love with her and stays in touch with her, even after they leave the country. She's the one I'm sending the photos to. She has a world map posted by her bed on which she puts pictures her friends send her.”
“How wonderful.” Marjorie’s smile is sincere, but Springer is studying me intently. Unsettled, I shift in my seat,
He points to me with his beer bottle. “There's something else, and I'd be willing to bet your fortune it's a woman.”
“A woman?” Marjorie’s eyes widen in interest.
I wave Springer's comment away with my hand. “No gossip on my end.”
“Then why are you here?” If his wife wasn't sitting on the edge of his chair, Springer would have leaned forward, and gotten into my face as I know he does when confronting someone. I imagine it intimidates many perpetrators he interrogates.
“Friendship.” I hope he buys it.
“Then let us be a friend. Max, I've known you a long, long time. You look like hell. Marjorie even noticed it.”
“Springer, you don't need—”
“We're family,” Springer interrupts his wife. “I can't make a woman love you, although I can't imagine any woman who wouldn't love you, but I can listen. I can commiserate that sometimes life and women are a bitch.”
Marjorie glares at him. “Is that so?”
“Until you find the right one.” Springer grins at his wife.
“I thought she was the right one,” I say. There's silence, and for a minute, I wonder if maybe I only thought the words.
“No kidding. Max D finally fell in love,” Springer says.
“Honey, you said you'd support him, not make fun of him.”
“We're like brothers. Brothers poke fun and then support.”
“What is she like?” Marjorie says ignoring her husband.
I shake my head. “It doesn't matter. She's not interested in me.”
“What's wrong with her?” Springer's eyes narrow.
“She's afraid. Even more so since I did the one thing that caused all her other breakups.”
“What'd you do?” Marjorie shakes her head like she can’t believe I’d do anything to hurt a woman. And I wouldn’t. At least not on purpose.
I let out a sad laugh and then explain everything about Madeleine.
“So, she just skipped out on you without a goodbye?” Springer asks. “Cold.”
I nod.
“Like you said, Max, she was afraid. You should have followed her.” Marjorie nods like her answer is the right one.
“Why?”Springer asks his wife. “She's not worthy if she can't see the kind of man Max is.”
“Because he could have changed her mind.”
Springer is shaking his head before she finishes her sentence. “People like Max and me, we don't seek rejection. We had enough of that growing up.”
Understanding and pity comes to her eyes. “Yes, I guess that would be hard. But we're not talking about foster parents. We're talking about a woman who you think cares for you. She's not rejecting you as much as she is protecting her heart. You need to show her she doesn't need protection from you, Max.”
