DINNER WITH MOM

"Cassy is getting really annoying every day," Mad says, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Was Cassy like this even before?"

Maddox scrunches as he presses his hands on the wheel. "Not really, she used to be a nice girl, not arrogant and a trouble maker, but I guess I didn't know the real Cassandra before. And now, she's showing it to everyone."

"I guess so; Cassy is a brat who would do anything she desires and doesn't care if she offends people around her. Such a childish act; I don't know when Cassandra will learn."

"That's her moral obligation, not our problem anymore. Anyway, we're close to Max's clinic. I'm excited to see him again; I hope he's doing fine already so we can continue rescuing dogs on the street."

I take in a deep breath, wishing the same as Maddox. "Thanks, Mad; I never cease praying that God will give us the miracle that Max will be fine the next time I visit him. You were right; I shouldn't give up on him. He is too precious not to fight for."

"Yes, we still have hope for Max; hold on, Angel," Mad says as he reaches for my hand; our eyes meet when I shift on him. His eyes glitter; unlike the first time I saw him, Maddox's eyes show warm emotion; I look away, avoiding the fire.

"Thanks," I respond, pulling my hands and folds them in my lap; I stay silent until we reach the clinic.

We head directly to where Max is confined. My heart aches to see my boy not getting any better after weeks of treatment; I can't stand looking at his thin and weak body; his eyes are teary and sad. Despite that, Max still wags his tail when he sees me; his eyes glitter, his way of welcoming me. I wonder what Max would say if only he could speak.

I close my eyes, reminiscing about those years I spent with Max when mom gifted him to me. Since then, Max never leaves my side. We only separated when I went to school and out of town for a school trip. Max sleeps by my side and wakes me up every morning, ensuring I wouldn't be late for school. I taught him tricks and how to be a good boy. My world revolves around Max as I was in his. It's quite a long time, but a lifetime wouldn't be enough with him.

Max whines a little in every stroke I make on his forehead. I don't even know how to comfort him anymore; I hug his slim and almost weightless body. "I love you, Max," I say, my voice came as a whisper.

My chest would explode anytime soon if I suppressed my tears. I don't mind smelling like a dog while cuddling Max, who hasn't taken a bath; I only want to make him feel loved and cared for in every way possible. My tears are streaming on my cheeks, unbothered to wipe them away when a soft cloth patting on my face.

I glance up, forcefully shut my eyes to clear the tears that blur my vision, Maddox standing by my side. "Mad, you don't have to."

"Let it out; it's okay," Mad says, caressing my back. He doesn't know how soothing it is to have someone I know who sincerely cares about me. My entire life, I only know mom and Max, and now Maddox seems to really care. I wipe my thoughts away, convincing myself not to linger on something impossible in my world. Maddox and I are two worlds apart.

Max fell asleep in my arms before we left him to check on Dr. Mendoza for Max's treatment response. His statement is a weight on my shoulders. According to him, Max's condition is getting really worse. I don't want to listen to him anymore.

We head home from the clinic, Maddox silently driving. "Mad, can you have dinner at home?" I invited Maddox home as my mom asked me on the phone. After a while of hesitation, I finally asked him. I was contemplating if he would be interested in having a meal in our two-room apartment.

"Sure," Mad's quick response.

I shift on him in disbelief at his response. I wasn't expecting him to say yes, but he did. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah, no doubt. Are you not sure of inviting me then?"

"No, no, it's not that," I respond quickly, avoiding offending him. "I don't expect for you to say yes; that's why I was hesitant to ask. I have to remind you, the life, house, and environment you grow up in is far different from us."

"Here we go again, Angel; you don't have to remind me that. My mom didn't raise me looking down on other people."

"Sorry, I just thought you should know."

Mad gives me a brief smile. "What's your mom like?"

Maddox's questions baffle me, but I guess it's not strange he'd be asking about my mom since I only have her in my life. "She's a good mom to me, a good person, and she only wanted what's best for me. My mom never had a relationship after my father; she poured her time into raising me alone."

"Well, I guess I don't have to worry about meeting your mom; judging from what I've heard, she seems a nice person."

A few people are eyeing us when Mad parks his car in front of our apartment building, to the elevator, and until we reach our unit. I take a deep sigh of relief, facing our door. "I'm sorry about what you had to go through right there." I apologize as I push the key to open our door.

Mad shrugs his shoulders. "No problem, it looks like they're not used to you having visitors here."

"Yeah, but we barely know them," I complain as I twist the door open. "Come in," I invite Maddox into our humble home.

Maddox follows me. Maddox's kitchen is probably bigger than our apartment. We only have a small living room, dining table, kitchen behind it, and two small rooms, one for me and one for mom.

"Mom?"

Mom shifts at us, beaming as he is preparing the table for dinner. "Hey, you two have arrived, come I'm preparing for dinner since Angel texted you guys are near."

"Mad, this is my mom, mom, this is Maddox, one of my friends in Harper."

Maddox extends a hand to my mom. "Nice to meet you, ma'am."

"Finally, nice to meet you, Maddox. I know a little about you as my daughter used to update me about school kinds of stuff. Thanks for coming; I hope you don't mind the place."

"No, no, please, I don't see a problem with it." Mad's quick response.

"Well then, let's have our dinner. This is my way of thanking you for being so nice to my daughter. You know, if I may share, I'm anxious about sending Angel to Harper since it's a completely different environment from what she used to in public schools."

"Ma'am, you actually don't have to thank me this way, but I am happy to have dinner with you two. Regarding the school thing, you need not worry; Angel has trusted friends like Sam and Luke."

"It's nice to know that. Please feel at home; I hope you will like the food I prepared," Mom said, sitting on our round table on my right and my left is Maddox.

"Mad, here, this is mom's favorite and her specialty. Give it a try," I lift the bowl of shrimp pasta close to him. Maddox takes it and twirls portions of pasta onto his plate.

A question is not needed if he likes it or not when he nods at me and gives me a thumbs up. Our dinner was pleasant, and I could tell that Maddox enjoyed the food.

"Maddox, are there any bullies in your school? I'm sorry if I have to ask. This is what I had in mind all along when Angel transferred to Harper." My mom's questions shocked me.

"Mom, I'm good; I can take care of myself."

"Actually," MAd chimes in as he looks at me. "There's one, no, four of them."

"Four?" Mom asks, her voice exaggerates.

"Mad, it's okay; I can take care of myself."

"Angel, your mom, has to know that there are bad people on our campus, and we got your back even though we know you can handle these things by yourself."

I only reply with a brief smile on my face. What can I do? He seems so lovely that I can't disagree with him anymore.

"That's good to know, Maddox. Angel, you know you don't have to hide these things from me. I wish to meet the other two friends you have, Angel."

"I have an idea. How about we invite your friends on your birthday? What's their name again?"

"Luke and Samantha, and I think they would be glad to come to Angel's birthday."

"Yes, Maddox, I'll have Angel bring the invitation for the other friends at Harper."

"Sure," Mad answered as he gazed at me. It's like trying to ask a question through those sneaky looks.

"We still have two weeks to invite guests, and I was supposed to ask you," I answer before he even verbally asks, making him smirk.