Listen To Me

by Phylicia Joannis

CHAPTER THREE

  Max Shaw

  Martin sits in his Chemistry class twirling his pencil. He is supposed to be taking notes, but his mind keeps traveling back to the Bible study he attended the night before. Martin smiles to himself as he reflects on the discussion that took place. Ronald's humorous anecdotes were always entertaining, but something Marcus had said stayed with Martin. He spoke about witnessing to his friends about Christ at his birthday parties, and it made Martin wonder about witnessing to his own friends. Particularly Max.

  Jennifer Smith smiles at him from the left, mouthing silently that she is going to fall asleep. She yawns dramatically and stretches out her arms. Martin laughs. Jennifer has helped him several times with questions he’s had about the Bible. Martin gave his life to Christ about a month ago in Mr. James’ house. Mr. James is the youth pastor at Upside Christian Church, and he too has helped Martin many times since then. He and Martin sometimes spend hours at a time studying and discussing the Bible.

  Martin looks up at his Chemistry teacher. He is talking about hydrocarbons and CFCs. Martin lets his eyes wander a while longer. He glances at Max, who is sitting to the right of his desk. Martin and Max have been like brothers ever since kindergarten. They swapped sandwiches, had sleepovers, and drank thousands of dollars’ worth of crazy soda concoctions before grade school. They used to hang out late at night with a couple of other guys and play pranks on people around town. Sometimes they’d egg a house or roll a car. Once, Max challenged Martin to spray paint someone’s garage door. They both were drinking that night and made so much noise that the owner of the house came out and chased them down. They would have been caught anyway, because Martin had spray painted his first and last name on the garage door.

  Martin gave up drinking and late night pranks after giving his life to Christ. Despite what his parents think, he’s done with that life. Max, on the other hand, seems to be getting worse. The prank with Marjorie Griggs was an idea they’d had over a month ago. They’d gone to her house one night and vandalized her car with markers and eggs. When she came running out, they threw eggs at her and snapped a few pictures. Martin had joked about putting the pictures up at school, but they had settled on keeping the pictures as leverage in case Marjorie gave them a hard time. Max was never supposed to post those pictures. It wasn’t like Max to humiliate someone like that either, not unless Martin put him up to it. Max is a clown, always up for a good laugh, but never cruel. Something is definitely going on with him. Even today, Max seems unusually somber.

  Martin considers sharing what he’s found in Christ with Max, but he’s not sure Max will listen. They’ve always made fun of people who were religious and spiritual. It would seem awkward for Martin to share his faith now, especially after what happened between them.

  Martin frowns as he thinks back on the night that changed his life. Martin had asked Max to help him scare Johnny Reese, a boy Martin had fought with in the school cafeteria. But Martin’s temper took over that night, and he came close to ending two lives with one rash mistake. Dangerously close. When Martin suggested doing damage with more than his fists, Max tried to talk him out of it. Martin responded by swinging a knife at him.

  Martin isn’t sure if he and Max are technically even friends anymore, but if he can convince Max that he’s changed, then maybe Max will want to change too. Martin makes a face as he watches his Chemistry teacher, determined to wipe off the ink from the projector, lick his fingers and rub them against the screen. Martin decides within himself to find a way to reach out to his friend.

  “Mr. West, can you tell me what the abbreviation for carbon is?” his teacher asks the question out of the blue.

  Martin looks at his blank notebook and realizes he should have been taking notes.

  “Uh, it’s um,” Martin reaches back to the dark recesses of his memory, but gets nothing. He looks back at the projector, but all the black ink is gone, wiped away by his teacher’s salivated finger. He decides to guess.

  “C?” Martin hopes he’s at least close.

  His teacher blinks. “Well, it seems that week in detention did you some good, Mr. West. I hope you can remember the answers long enough to pass the midterm exams. Unless of course you plan on having a cheerleader take your test for you?”

  Martin rolls his eyes at his teacher’s wisecrack. One of the football players had been caught cheating last semester. He got the test answers from a cheerleader who took the same class at a different time. Now every jock who attended the class was dubbed a cheater. Martin isn’t the best student, but even he’s smart enough to know not to cheat on a chem test.

  Martin glances at Jennifer, who smiles knowingly at him.

  “I’ll email you my notes,” she whispers quickly before their teacher notices. It isn’t necessary; he’s too busy trying to tell yet another joke that isn't funny, and most of the students laugh at him instead of with him. The bell finally rings and someone in the front turns over his desk trying to get out of class. Martin takes his time leaving, mainly because he wants to talk to Max. Max is still putting his textbook in his backpack when Martin walks over to him.

  “Hey Max,” Martin greets.

  “Hey,” Max replies blandly. He eyes Martin curiously.

  “Max, c'mon let's go!” Jamie shouts as he shoots past the door. Jamie is one of the students at LHS, but Martin and Max don’t usually hang out with him. Max waves at Jamie and zips up his backpack.

  “Since when do you hang out with Jamie?” Martin asks.

  “I don’t know,” Max shrugs. “Since my best friend ditched me, I guess.” Max grabs his backpack and slings it over his shoulder.

  “Wait, before you go,” Martin speaks hastily, “I'd like to talk to you about something.”

  Max hesitates. “What?”

  “Well, I was wondering if you wanted to come with me to church on Wednesday night,” Martin replies.

  Max snorts, then noting the serious look on Martin’s face, replies. “Ah, gee Martin I can't.” He adds with feigned sincerity, “Maybe next time, ok?”

  “Well, why can't you come?” Martin asks.

  “Jamie's having a party over at his place Wednesday, and I'm not going to miss it. Hey, why don't you come? It'll definitely be more fun than going to church.” Max laughs.

  Martin grimaces. “No thanks, Max. I won’t have any fun there, and I would rather go to church than go to a place full of sin.”

  “Wow,” Max raises his eyebrows. “We’re not slitting the throats of baby calves, we’re just having a little fun. It's just a party, Martin. Lighten up.” Max looks at him and shakes his head. “You used to be so much fun, man. What happened to you?”

  “Me?” Martin frowns. “What happened to you, Max? First you hang those pictures of Marjorie and now you’re hanging out with guys like Jamie? Max, I don't think you should go to that party.”

  Max rolls his eyes, obviously irritated. “What, are you my mother now?” Max replies sarcastically.

  “C’mon, Max I know what goes down at Jamie’s house,” Martin speaks in a low voice. “I’ve been there with you before. He’s into some heavy stuff, and you don’t need to be mixed up with that kind of crowd. I'm trying to be a friend.”

  “Since when do you care?” Max asks, visibly irritated. “Last time I checked, you swung a knife at me. If that’s your idea of friendship-”

  “It’s not,” Martin interrupts. “Max, what I did was bad. Really bad. I messed up, and I’m really sorry. I’m trying to make it up to you by looking out for you, man. Why don’t you just listen to me?”

  Max sighs, “Why don't you quit this good guy act and just stay out of my business, okay?” Max begins to walk off.

  “Max, wait!” Martin calls after him.

  “What?” Max turns around.

  “I'm only trying to help you.”

  “I don't need your help!” Max snaps. Martin watches him leave and stares for a moment at the door, wondering what he did wrong. He shakes his head and puts his book
s in his backpack, realizing that he needs to get to his geometry class before the tardy bell rings.

  When he gets to class, Jennifer Smith greets him. “Glad you could make it,” she says, glancing at her watch and then at the clock on the wall.

  “I was trying to talk to Max,” Martin sighs, “but he got mad at me and walked off.”

  “What did you say to him?” she asks.

  “He told me he was going to a party next Wednesday and I tried to tell him not to go.” Martin glances at his watch and takes his seat behind Jennifer.

  Jennifer turns to face him. “Max used to be a good friend of yours. I’m sure you’ll get through to him.”

  Martin slams his backpack down in frustration. The sound startles Jennifer, but she tries not to show it. Martin looks at her apologetically. “I’m sorry. I’m just so frustrated. I don’t know how to get through to him, Jen.”

  She nods and places her hand on his shoulder. “Don't get discouraged,” she says. “Try again later.”

  Martin smiles at her, thankful for her encouragement. “Thanks, Jen.”

  †††

  During lunch, Martin sees Max and walks over to his table. He takes the seat beside him and puts down his tray.

  “Hey, that's my seat!” Jamie scowls as he walks up with his lunch tray.

  “I'll be up in a minute,” Martin replies, waving him off.

  Jamie glares and mutters something under his breath.

  “What do you want, Martin?” Max asks, rolling his eyes as he bites into a hamburger.

  “You wouldn’t let me finish talking to you today,” Martin answers. “I was trying to tell you that God loves you and-”

  Max cuts Martin off. “Whoa, time out! Since when are you religious?”

  “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you,” Martin speaks fervently. “I’m a Christian now, Max. I’m not who I used to be and if you repent –”

  “Would you stop already?” Max stops eating. “I told you to leave me alone. I don't need you pushing some God crap in my face!”

  “No Max,” Martin says forcefully. “I'm not going to leave you alone and let you ruin your life!” Martin didn’t intend to raise his voice, but their exchange has captured the interest of several curious eyes. Martin lowers his voice. “Max—”

  “Hey, your minute’s up, West,” Jamie cuts him off, stepping between Max and Martin. Max gets up and walks away.

  “Max!” Martin calls out, but Max doesn’t turn to acknowledge him; Jamie trails shortly behind him. Martin gets up and walks back to his own table. He sits next to Jennifer and exhales in frustration.

  “I blew it,” he states quietly.

  “Don't give up,” Jennifer consoles him. “Just keep praying for him. And maybe…” Jennifer hesitates.

  “What?” Martin asks.

  “Maybe you could try another approach?” Jennifer suggests. “More subtle, perhaps, and less…threatening?”

  Martin shakes his head. “I don’t think that will work for Max. He’s stubborn.”

  Jennifer shrugs. “It’s just a thought.”

  Martin sighs. “I’ll give it a shot. But I think my way is better.”

  Jennifer smiles as she bites into her sandwich. “ We’ll see.”

  †††

  “Hey Jamie, you got any more beer?” Max slurs. It’s Friday night, and Max is at Jamie's house. Jamie's parents are out of town for the weekend and Jamie invited a few friends over, including Max.

  “Yeah, sure,” Jamie replies and puts down the joint in his hand. One of the other guys picks it up and finishes it off as Jamie makes his way to the refrigerator. Jamie pauses and looks back at Max. “You sure you want another one?” he asks.

  Just one more, Max. Go ahead.

  “What did you say?” asks Max.

  Jamie repeats, “I said are you sure you-”

  “No, after that,” Max waves his hand.

  “I didn’t say anything after that,” Jamie shrugs.

  Just take another beer.

  “Did you say that?” asks Max, darting his eyes around the room.

  “Say what?” Jamie asks, confused.

  “I just heard someone say take another…take another beer.” Max blinks to clear his mind.

  “I didn’t hear anything,” Jamie laughs.

  Jamie’s friends snort and laugh at Max. “I think your friend here is wasted.”

  “Oh man, I must be hearing things,” Max grabs his head.

  “Hey you want a hit?” One of the guys pulls out another joint, but Max shakes his head.

  “Nah, I'm gonna go home?” Max declines.

  “You alright, man?” Jamie asks.

  “Yeah, I'm okay. I just need some sleep,” Max garbles as he heads for the door.

  Jamie raises his eyebrows. “You sure?” he asks as he watches Max open the closet door instead of the front door beside it.

  Max swears indistinctly. “Yeah I'll be fine,” he waves his hand in dismissal. Max slams the closet door and turns around in confusion, searching hopelessly for the front door. He grabs his head in frustration and begins to mumble unintelligibly.

  “Jamie, what is with this clown?” One of Jamie’s friends grabs his cell phone and begins videotaping Max.

  “That’s Max,” Jamie chuckles. “Always good for a laugh.”

  “Wish you'd stop switching the doors around.” Max mutters and lets loose a chain of profanities at each failed attempt to locate the front door. Jamie’s friends laugh hysterically. Jamie walks over to the door to help him out, but Max has already found the knob. Finally, he walks out.

  Max waves, gets into his car and drives off.

  After leaving Jamie's subdivision, Max begins to nod off. Moments later, his hands slip off the wheel.

  †††