Gammon
Prologue
Today
Why’s he leaving? Max wondered. Where’s he going? Angst flooded him as JD led them further and further from the school. A determination he’d never felt before in JD had taken over. JD had a plan. And if the knot in his stomach was any indication, Max knew it wasn’t going to be good.
As he turned the corner on Main Street, JD upped his gait to a run, a hard run. This is not good,
Max panted out. JD, we need to get back to school. Come on.
However, JD was having none of it. After ten minutes of intense running, he came to Applegate Park and sprinted over to the running trail. In JD’s rush, Max tripped several times. Unrelenting, JD forced he up and pushed him harder. His now bloodied palms and knees resembled raw meat, but JD kept pushing. To where? Max still hadn’t a clue.
Guilt crushed Max as they ran past a row of dilapidated outbuildings, neglected, unkempt. So like JD. Why had he not noticed JD before? Or seen the fear in his eyes? Would it have killed him to have befriended JD, to have included him in his circle of friends?
As JD veered from the pathway and scaled up an embankment, Max thought about that fateful day two short months ago. If only he could have his life to do over. If only he could have that one day to do over. If only he hadn’t been clueless about the world around him. If only he’d not been so self-absorbed.
If only....
Chapter 1
Two Months Ago . . .
Dude! She is the hottest cheerleader at Port Fare High.
Leo slapped Max on the back as they watched the cheerleaders perform their final cheer.
"The team is in the huddle,
The captain’s at the head,
They all got together,
And this is what they said . . ."
Max beamed proudly as Emma did a backflip flawlessly at the end of the cheer. "That's why she's my girl." He cocked his biceps and planted a kiss playfully on each one.
Leo laughed. I don't know what's bigger. Your guns,
he pointed to Max's biceps, or your ego.
I think it's a tie.
Max laughed at himself. His dark brown eyes and hair, long thick eyelashes, and dimpled smile were simply a matter of good genes. For that, he thanked his parents. The iron hard body, however, he earned himself through hours of sweat and hard work. He sacrificed partying with his amigos for good, old-fashioned healthy living. No liquor or illegal substances ever passed his lips, let alone the evilest of them all: white flour and white sugar. His mom was a fanatic about eating healthy, a passion she passed on to her son, and for that Max was eternally grateful. Your body is a temple, she always said, and Max certainly worshiped his.
Leo and Max made their way down the steel bleachers to the edge of the football field. The pep rally was almost over, and Emma promised to meet him there afterwards.
Hey, beautiful.
Lisa York appeared out of nowhere and wrapped her arms around Max. She planted a huge kiss on his cheek, only because Max turned his head in time. She had aimed for his mouth. She'd been after him since the sixth grade, but he only thought of her as a friend, much to her dismay.
Lisa.
Max laughed and swung her around before setting her down and backing away. She sunk her hands into the pockets of her jeans and frowned. Doesn't Emma look good today?
Max pointed to his girl as she came running across the field in her pleated blue and gold skirt and matching tank top to join them. His smiling eyes sent a blaring message to Lisa: unavailable.
Undaunted, Lisa tried to slither herself back up to Max. He quickly sidestepped her snaking arms and gathered the girl he really wanted into his.
You did so good today, babe.
Max planted a long, deep kiss on Emma, having now completely forgotten that Lisa existed. He loved how she smelled of fresh cut grass after her pep rallies. It reminded him that his team was poised to take the state baseball championship this year. Now a senior at Port Fare High, this would be his last year as pitcher, and he hoped to go out in a blaze of glory.
Hi, Max. I love you in this shirt,
Emma said with her signature heart-stopping grin. Max wore the yellow shirt on purpose. He knew Emma loved how the color popped against his golden Latino skin.
"I'm thinking we should go and catch a movie tonight. That new slasher film, Glorious Guts, is at the drive-in." Max ran a hand over Emma’s long blond hair and tucked a strand behind her ear. He loved the feel of it. So smooth and flowing compared to his dark waves.
Ew! I hate slasher movies, you know that.
Emma scrunched her face, burying her sky-blue eyes behind her cheeks. She shook her blue and gold pompoms at him.
I wasn't planning on watching the movie.
He wagged his eyebrows and grinned, bringing out the dimples on either side of his smile that he knew Em loved.
Max!
She slapped her pompoms playfully on his chest. What would your parents say if they heard you talk like that?
Yeah, Max, what would they say?
Lisa interjected awkwardly. He glanced over at Leo, who’d busied himself with a text, as usual. Max wondered if the cell phone was a third appendage sometimes he'd seen it in Leo's hand so much.
My father would probably agree with me, Lisa. My Madre? Not so much,
he admitted. Okay, come over for dinner tonight then, Em. My dad is making shrimp scampi. You know how good his scampi is.
Before she could answer, Lumpy Larry and Icky Izzy meandered by. Larry's face pointed to the ground, as did his slumped shoulders. His greasy brown hair stuck up in the back where he'd scratched his head recently. His tight jeans did little to improve the look of his girth. The button at the waist struggled to hold on.
Izzy plodded at his side, nearly invisible with her frail, wispy body and long, stringy blonde hair. She appeared tan thanks to the freckles that covered her face, and her watery gray eyes sank in to match her hollowed cheeks.
"Well, lookie who we have here. If it isn't The Ten." Leo beamed at his little joke. Only Lisa laughed. Max and Em had heard it a million times before. Leo loved to point out that the two geeks looked like a ten walking side by side: Icky with her lack of bulk and Lumpy with bulk to spare.
Ugh. What is that smell?
Leo sniffed dramatically at the duo.
I do believe it's Twinkies, mixed with Oreo's,
Max chimed in. He knew he shouldn't have said it, but it came out so automatically he didn't have a chance to stop it.
Yes, I do believe you're right, although you forgot to mention the quart of greasy hair.
Leo plugged his nose and pretended to faint.
Icky and Lumpy upped their strides and escaped before any more abuse could be hurled at them. Everyone collapsed onto Leo, laughing. Everyone except Emma, that is.
That’s mean. Max, how could you?
Tears welled in her eyes.
Max jumped up, darted in front of her, and wrapped his arms around her. Aw, babe. Don't be upset. It's just a joke. No harm, no foul.
"No harm, no foul to you. What about how they feel? Did you ever stop to think of that?" Emma jerked away from Max as he tried to gather her in his arms again. She stepped back and snapped her arms across her chest.
Em, we've been teasing those two since we were in third grade and they were in second. It's tradition.
Max had the nerve to grin, a decision he immediately regretted. A storm now brewed in Emma's eyes, and the thick fringe of her lashes did little to soften the glare. Come on, babe. It's all in fun.
Only to you. How do you know she doesn’t go home and cry her eyes out, or that he doesn't go and sit in a dark room regretting having gotten out of bed in the morning?
Em turned and stormed off the field, her pompoms flailing at her side. Max followed.
You're making a bigger deal out of this than you need to.
Em didn't slow at Max's words, instead she increased her pace. Em. Stop.
He clasped her arm and gently spun her around to face him. He took the pompoms and dropped them on the ground before taking both of her hands in his.
I don’t want to fight over those two. They mean nothing to us.
Max watched as her eyes grew wide. He quickly added, Personally, I mean. As human beings they are very important to...someone, I'm sure.
She stomped her blue and gold cheer shoes. That is so mean. Those two have mothers who love them, just like you and me. I'm sure they have friends, too, who care about them.
Max didn't dare point out that in the ten plus years since he'd known them, never once had he seen either of them talking to anyone besides each other. Probably,
he said wisely, not wanting to argue with her about the two losers.
Probably? You don't think they have any other friends?
The anger in her pretty eyes vanished as compassion took its place. Em’s loving heart amazed Max. It reminded him of his mother, and he concluded it must be a female thing.
I don't know, Em.
He scooped up her pompoms, glad the fight was over. He tucked them under his arm and took her hand, leading her to his truck. I've never paid much attention to them, really. They may have friends, but I doubt it. Have you ever seen Izzy talking with anyone?
Not that I can think of, but you'd know better than me. You've grown up here. This is only my second year in Port Fare. Max, this is so sad.
She shook her head. I think we should befriend them. Clearly, they don't have anyone but each other.
He stopped dead and turned to Emma, whose face now beamed with excitement. Think about it, Max: the captain of the baseball team and the head cheerleader, becoming friends with them. People will follow our lead. They'll befriend them too, invite them to parties, maybe we can set them up with dates.
Em seemed almost giddy with excitement. Max listened as she laid out ways to include Izzy in activities with her and her girlfriends.
Max, however, didn’t see it like Emma. He saw things much differently. "Em, those two have no friends for a reason, number one being they smell. Who knows when they bathed last? And then there's the matter of their size. Izzy is anorexic. The girl is purposely starving herself to death just for attention. No one thinks being that skinny looks good.
And Lumpy Larry,
Max continued, is just plain disgusting. He doesn't have to be that way. He can stop eating junk food and start exercising. That alone would solve half his problems.
Max stepped back a few steps. Look at this body, Em.
He waved a hand over his muscular frame. I work hard at it, and it's not easy. It takes discipline and sacrifice. I've never eaten a Twinkie, let alone survived on a steady diet of them.
How do you know he doesn't have a glandular problem?
Emma pressed.
"Because I've seen the empty junk food wrappers falling out of his pig-sty locker as I've walked by. The guy doesn't have a glandular problem. He has a lazy butt problem."
"And you, Maximiliano, have a heart of stone problem." Emma grabbed the blue and gold pompoms from him and stomped off. She wouldn't be eating dinner with him tonight if he didn't think fast. Why did she have to be so sensitive? Girls!
Babe, wait.
He hustled after her, catching up as she got to her cherry red Acura. He held the door shut so she couldn't open it. She let out a hard rush of air, keeping her back to him.
"Em, if I'd known my playful little jabs bothered you so much, I wouldn't have said anything to The Ten." He weaved his fingers around a lock of her blond hair as he spoke.
"They’re not The Ten, Max. And you should be apologizing to them, not me. She spun around, bouncing a finger on his chest.
And if you really care about me, you will."
I promise. The next time I see them, I will.
He slipped his arms around her waist and tugged her close.
Thank you. You can start now.
Em pointed over Max's shoulder. He twisted to see Larry eating a Snicker's bar while digging through his cyclone of a locker. Max groaned out loud, not his intention.
I knew it. I knew you wouldn't apologize.
Em wiggled out of Max's arms and ripped open the door of her car.
I'm going right now,
he said, exasperated with the entire conversation. He'd apologize just to end the fight. Arguing over The Ten? So not a priority to Max. He stomped his way across the short space between the row of senior lockers and the parking lot.
Max raced up to Larry as he buried his arm deep in his locker, obviously searching for something in the back. Probably a Twinkie, Max thought. Hey, Larry.
Larry didn't turn. He just kept digging away at the mound of trash.
Larry,
Max said a little louder, this time adding a tap to Larry's shoulder. Larry sprung around in surprise. His arms shot up in front of his face as if to block a punch.
Max waved and stepped back; the guy smelled awful. Hi, Larry,
Max reiterated.
My name is JD. It’s short for Jayden.
JD pushed the smudged glasses that had slid down his nose back up to his eyes.
When did you get glasses, JD?
Max asked.
In third grade.
JD's voice came out so soft Max could hardly hear him. Why hadn't he ever noticed JD'S glasses before?
Oh. Well, Em thinks I hurt your feelings back over by the bleachers, and she wanted me to apologize.
Max shook his head and added, She's probably PMS'ing. Know what I mean?
A quizzical expression crossed JD’s face. Clearly he had no idea what Max meant. Anyway, I tried telling her it was all in fun and you didn't take it seriously, but she insisted. So, no hard feelings, 'K?
Max held up his hand and JD slapped it awkwardly.
Thanks. No one's ever apologized for being mean to me before.
JD smiled.
Max frowned. Maybe Em was right. Maybe JD did just need a friend. He twisted anxiously, deciding to follow Em's advice. So, if you ever want a workout buddy, let me know,
Max offered.
Really? That'd be great. I've wanted to get in better shape. I just didn't know what to do.
JD jabbed his glasses back up his nose.
Sure. I go to the gym in town. We’ll go together. Maybe on Monday, after school?
Oh, the gym.
JD dropped his head a little. Maybe. Gyms make my asthma act up. Thanks anyway.
JD went back to searching his locker as Max nodded and jogged over to Em.
Asthma. It's just an excuse not to exercise, Max thought. His best friend Leo had asthma and he worked out regularly. Leo just had to be smart about his routine. He wanted to say I told you so to Emma, but not being a dummy, he smiled and gave her a bear hug.
You feel better now, don't you?
she asked as he set her down.
Actually, he did feel better. That surprised him a little. He shrugged the feeling off. Yes. And I invited him to workout with me sometime.
You did? Thank you, Max.
Em planted a big kiss on his lips. I have the sweetest, kindest boyfriend ever. Never leave me.
I’m here for you, Em. Always and forever,
he assured her.
And I'm sorry for getting mad at you.
Before he could apologize, she kissed him again. My apology can wait, he thought as he returned her kiss. The kiss sparked a resolve deep within his marrow. Her kisses were like no other and had a bewitching effect. He'd help Lumpy. For more of her kisses, he’d carry the guy over flowing lava whether Lumpy wanted him to or not.
Chapter 2
Where did I put that stupid pen?
JD wiped the sweat from his brow with one hand while continuing to search in vain for Tim's pen. Tim was his mother's latest boyfriend and the meanest one yet. They'd been together six months, and already he had scars to prove it. Being knocked around by his mother's men wasn't new to JD. She liked the losers, always had. He'd seen her punched in the gut, tossed across the room, and shoved into a wall more times than he cared to remember. But this one, this Tim, had cruelty down to a science.
JD sank to the ground, fighting tears that fought to break free. He'd pay tonight. There'd be another punishment for losing Tim's pen. Another over-the-top beating. Probably with an extension cord. Tim loved the extension cord. He’d threatened to wrap it around his mother's neck last week if she didn’t stop coddling the fat lump, as Tim liked to call him. Yup, JD couldn't wait for this one to break his mother's heart and leave. Better her heart than her head,
JD mumbled to himself.
Across the parking lot, Max and Emma held hands and stared into each other’s eyes. They’d been a couple for almost two years. JD had fallen in love with her the first time he saw her. But she only saw Max—as if JD stood a chance with her anyway. He frowned at his dirty jeans. His new hiding place wasn't exactly the cleanest one he'd ever found.
Max wants to help me work out. JD smiled to himself. Never had he imagined Max Sánchez would want to be his friend. Max. One of the popular kids. He played sports, had all the girls after him, and was voted most likely to succeed his junior year. A junior never got that honor. It had always been reserved for the seniors. Max got it both years. If only I were that popular.
He felt honored when Max offered to workout with him, and would have done whatever Max wanted. He’d have lifted the weights until his arms shook with exhaustion. He’d even take the beating Tim would give him for being late if it meant Max would be his friend. But no way could he afford to go to the gym downtown.
JD picked himself up, shut his locker, and started for home. He missed the bus in his failed attempt to locate Tim's pen, so he now had to walk. That meant he’d have to watch out for the jerks, as he and Izzy called them. His stomach twisted painfully at the thought. They were a gang of kids who found sport in terrorizing geeks like them. They didn't say stupid things like Max and his friends did. That he could live with. It hurt, but he'd gotten used to it. Besides, Max seldom bothered him since he started dating Emma.
But these guys, these jerks were downright evil. JD wouldn't let his mind dwell on their past escapades. Too painful. He also needed to stay in the here and now if he wanted to avoid them on his way home. He barely escaped yesterday. Could he be that lucky again?
JD darted across the open field toward his house. Only two more blocks and he'd be home. He stopped to catch his breath. He knew the risks, but what choice did he have? He was a fat, lazy butthead, and he knew it. The kids who teased him didn't tell him anything he didn't already know.
Squealing tires meant he’d been spotted. He took off with all the speed he could muster, which wasn't much at this point. His breath came hard now, and he worried his chest might explode. The sweat careening down his forehead burned his eyes. He turned into an alley behind a strip mall to his secret refuge: a dumpster behind Pet City, the local pet store. No one in their right mind would hide in a dumpster filled with animal waste. Unless they were desperate.
And JD was desperate.
He cracked open the lid, sucking in the last lungful of clean air he'd be breathing for a while, and dove in just as the enemy car bolted down the alley, skidding to a stop.
Where is he?
shouted Nate, the ring leader. JD feared him almost as much as he did Tim. He slowly exhaled as the car door slammed shut.
I'll bet he's in the dumpster,
Pam, Nate's girlfriend, said. She loved to taunt Izzy. It made JD's blood boil when she did, but he never said anything. Ever.
Not even Lumpy would dumpster dive in there,
Nate laughed.
Come on. Who cares? Let's go get something to eat.
This voice didn't sound familiar to JD and he sighed with relief knowing whoever it was wanted food over JD's blood.
Keep your pants on,
Nate shouted. Pam, see if he went in the pet store. I'll check the drug store. Mike, you go and—
Forget it. I'm not that interested. Either we leave now, or I'm out of here.
JD heard a car door slam again. Footsteps made their way to the dumpster, JD held his breath.
Nate, if he leaves, we'll have to pay to get into the drive-in. He has the free passes, remember?
Pam said.
Nate groaned. Fine, but tomorrow we don't stop until we find Lumpy, got it?
The footsteps retreated before disappearing completely, and the car drove away. JD waited five more minutes, just to make sure they were gone, before climbing out. He shook off the animal mess from his jeans and t-shirt and started for home, looking around carefully as always.
Relief washed over him as his hand landed on the front door screen.
Where's my pen, fat boy?
The relief was short lived.
Chapter 3
Max, slow down. That's your fourth helping of rice.
Sofia Sánchez removed the blue glass platter he’d emptied and loaded it into the dishwasher. No need to rinse it off; Max scraped the rice dish clean.
Great rice, Madre.
Max sprinkled some herbal concoction his mother had put together across his brown rice. It was her way of cutting butter out of the family diet. Max missed not having butter, but as his mother always said, Treat your body right and it will treat you right.
Max agreed. He just wished butter was on the okay to eat list she stuck to religiously.
Everything was wonderful. Thank you for having me.
Emma smiled at Sofia.
You are very welcome, dear,
Sofia replied. Max knew his mother thought that Em was the perfect girl for him. Strong, smart, and kind. She often told him that she couldn't have found a better girl for Max if she tried. He knew she hoped their love would survive the often turbulent years of college. She loved to talk about how beautiful her grandchildren would be when the two of them started a family, and she’d grown quite attached to her fantasy.
Hey, what about me? I made the scampi.
Tom Sánchez waltzed in from the kitchen holding the last of the shrimp. He dumped it on his plate. Max frowned in disappointment. Son, after dinner I think we had better take you to the hospital. I do believe you have a tape worm.
I'm a growing boy, Papi.
Max leaned back and scrubbed his stomach. And if I don't beat you at a friendly game of b-ball after dinner, I'm going to be growing the wrong way.
His dad chuckled as he popped one of the shrimp into his mouth.
Emma and Max grabbed the basketball while his parents cleaned the kitchen after dinner. Max, I think we should help your parents,
Emma whispered to him.
Em, every time I try to help them, they kick me out. My mom has a system for everything, and if I don't do it right, she goes behind me redoing it. Anyway, I think she actually likes cleaning.
Max took the ball and swooshed it through the hoop. Nuttin’ but net.
Ten minutes later, Max's parents joined him and Emma, and the game began. Max and his mom on one team, Emma and his dad on the other.
As Max predicted, he and his mom won, hands down. Best three point shooter in the family, right, dear?
Sofia pointed to herself as she bragged to her husband.
Yes, dear, you are the best. After me, naturally.
His dad grabbed the ball, and with a fancy twist, he shot the ball, and missed. It ricocheted off the rim and back into his hands. He playfully bowed before Sofia, presenting her with the ball.
I have to get going,
Emma said, after a long, cold drink of herbal iced tea. Thanks again for dinner.
Max walked her out to her car. Are you sure you can’t stay for a little while longer? I’ll bet my mom will talk my dad into taking us out for frozen yogurt.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and tugged her close.
Sorry. Big math test tomorrow.
She kissed him, a long sweet kiss, Max’s favorite kind. I love you.
Times ten,
he answered back, repeating their little ritual. See you tomorrow.
She waved and got in her red Acura. Max watched her until her car rounded the corner.
I think the loser should buy the winners ice cream at the Burger Barn,
Sofia suggested to her husband as Max strolled into the backyard. Max smiled.
He turned to his mother, scooped her up in his arms, and set her down carefully in the grass. "Dad, get a cold compress. Mom's delusional. She said the words ice cream." Max fell on the ground next to his mother, laughing.
Very funny.
Sofia playfully smacked her son on the butt. If you remember correctly, they sell frozen yogurt.
Of course they do. How foolish of me to forget.
Max helped his mother up. The family climbed into Tom's new silver sports car and drove to the Burger Barn. As they ate their yogurts, Max couldn't help but reflect on how lucky he was. He had an awesome girlfriend and wonderful parents who loved and supported him in everything he did. Life's good.
Sitting half asleep in the back seat admiring the majestic sunset on the drive home, Max decided to lay out a plan to help Larry. Emma had a good idea. He should befriend the guy. He made it his mission to get Larry to the gym if it killed him, and he'd teach him the importance of eating right. Yup. Larry would be his project.
Max smiled to himself. He indeed had a good life, a very good life. He laid his head back against the headrest as his father changed the rock and roll radio station to talk radio. Not even that could dampen his spirits tonight.
His mother, however, felt differently. Dear!
she snapped. She hated talk radio more than he did.
Max heard the
