What We Deserve

Part 67: Joel

"Wow!!! You live here?!" He gapes in amazement at my home as he holds my hand.

"Indeed. Now- Joel- I need you to listen to me very closely- okay?" I turn and hold his shoulders so he focuses on me.

This is not going to go well.

I know that.

But if he needs Max's help....

Well then he will recieve it.

"Okay?"

"Max....Max and I already have two children. Small toddlers. They mean the world to us and I need you to know going in, that just because you yourself are a child- doesn't make you any less of a threat to my family. Max is a very sweet man, but that doesn't mean he won't protect those he loves alright? Do you understand?"

"He's not gonna hurt me...will he?" He asks slightly scared.

"Are you going to hurt any of my family?"

"No."

"Then we shouldn't have a problem. You stay here for a moment. I'm going to grab real quick. Just...stay here." I state and head inside. Going up the steps, I open the door and leave the poor boy outside. Max immediately comes around the corner from the living room and looks at me intently.

"Well?"

"I found him."

"And?!"

"He's outside."

"You brought him here?! Helen..."

"Before you go yelling and flipping out- he needs your help."

"Then take him to the Dam."

"No, Max- not medical help. Please- he's just a child who has been through something awful."

"Like what?"

"Well for starters he came all the way from Utah in a wooden crate on a semi. He knows nothing about Planes and I'm assume he knows very little about most things this world has to offer. So can you please just be polite?" Sighing, he closes his eyes for a second as he shakes his head before nodding. Going to the door, I open it up and it draws Joel's attention. "Come on in."

He slowly does as I say and just stands on the mat in front of the door- taking in the inside of my home like a child in a candy shop.

"Wow! It's bigger on the inside!" He exclaims quietly, his voice echoing through the front hallway. I can't help but smile and lean into Max slightly.

This poor child.

What has he been through.

Max, however, seems less than concerned.

"Hello, again Joel. I heard you've been looking for me." Max says a bit forward as he pulls from me and extends his hand. Joel drops his gaze from Max and bows his torso forward.

"A pleasure to finally meet you." He remains in this half bowed position until he hears me clear my throat.

"Right...." Max says- a bit unnerved. "You can stand up now."

He does as Max says- almost militaristically and stands at attention.

"Joel, would you like something to drink?" I ask and his eyes never shift to mine and his stance never slacks.

"Yes, please Miss Helen." He states clearly.

"You can relax, Kid. Come have a seat." Max says casually and I don't know if this display is because I told him he should be scared of Max, or if this is really how he was taught to act around men. Slowly walking over to the table with Max, he briefly peeks into the living room to where my children are asleep and Bluey silently plays in the background. He look enamored by the television, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Joel?"