249 Jackson at the FMC 1 (1/2)
Sabrina, Ashton, and Max are in the waiting room of the neurosurgery wing at the Franciscan Medical Center.
Liz is doing multiple tests and scans on Jackson, and they are inside for more than an hour.
”We should eat something.”, Max suggested. It's past lunchtime.
Sabrina refused to leave. ”I want to be here and hear what is going on. And Jack's parents will be here soon.”
”I will grab something from the cafeteria and bring it here.”, Ashton suggested. ”Max, I will get enough for everyone. Can you stay with Rina?”
”Sure.” Max didn't want to leave Sabrina on her own.
Max and Ashton know that Sabrina is the most anxious one among them. Each of them is hoping that Liz will come up with a result that will undeniably label Jackson as a liar and provide a ticket for Sabrina to get a clean exit from that toxic relationship.
”Do you know what you will tell Mrs. Adams?”, Max asked Sabrina when Ashton left.
”The truth. Almost.”
Max knows that Sabrina will not lie, and that means she will leave out some parts. ”You will tell her about the breakup?”
”Yes.”, Sabrina responded confidently.
”Do you think that this is good timing to break such news?”
Sabrina exhaled. ”So far, I was ignoring things or waiting for the right timing and ended up waiting for eight years. And I almost lost Ashton because of that. No more waiting.”
Max approved Sabrina's attitude. She was always postponing anything that is not related to her business, and he likes that she decided to clean up her personal life as well. ”I've got your back.”
Sabrina looked at Max with a gaze full of gratitude. ”Thanks, little brother.”
Max shook his head. People see him as a mountain to be conquered or to be feared, but for Sabrina, he is a child.
He got his phone and checked his messages. Liz is texting him occasionally, but for the last ten minutes, there is nothing. He hopes to hear some good news.
”Max?”, Sabrina called to get Max's attention from his phone.
”Yes?”
”Thank you for accepting Ashton as part of my life.”
”Who said I accepted him?” Max asked grumpily.
Sabrina smiled. ”He makes me happy.”
”Then, you should not care what anyone else thinks. If he treats you well, I will not say anything. But...” Max made a dramatic pause. ”It will take me some time to adjust to this.”
Sabrina was curious. ”Did you expect someone else?”
”Uhm... maybe someone older.”, Max admitted.
Sabrina winked. ”Younger is good, he will last longer.”
Sabrina stifled a laugh when she saw that Max's expression turned ugly.
”As your brother, I don't need to know those things. Keep those jokes for your girl-gatherings.”
”Your displeased face is the same as when you were five years old.” Sabrina said jokingly.
Max snorted and continued looking at his phone.
”Oh, my dear…”, a middle-aged woman (aka Paulina Adams) cried as soon as she peeked in the waiting room.
”Mrs. Adams…”, Sabrina greeted Jackson's mom.
”I see that Max is here as well. Good. Good…”, Jackson's father (aka Gregory Adams) was obviously pleased when he shook hands with Max.
”Are you OK, sweetie?”, Mrs. Adams asked Sabrina.
Sabrina was surprised by this question. Jackson's mom was always extra-caring toward Sabrina, but no matter how Sabrina looks at it, shouldn't Mrs. Adams ask about her son's condition?
”Yes. Jack is the one who is unwell.”, Sabrina reminded Mrs. Adams.
”I am glad to see that you are concerned about Jack.”, Mrs. Adams smiled. ”I am happy that you were by his side and that he reached the hospital in time.” Mrs. Adams turned to Max. ”Thank you, Max, for bringing Jack here.”
Max saw that both Mr. and Mrs. Adams are smiling at him like he is some kind of an idol.
He met Jackson's parents twice so far, and it didn't go beyond superficial greetings. Both times, Nathan and Madeline were there, and they chatted with Jackson's parents.
Max is not sure how to respond to this closeness and he wonders if they are always like this, or does he get some special treatment. No matter which one is it, he does not feel like getting close to these two. Something does not seem right. Max brushed it off as an unease because he does not like Jack and these two are his parents.
”I didn't bring him here. We called the ambulance.”, Max stated the facts.