Page 118 of Maximum
My proud son answered for me. “Yes, the doctors were about to give up on the girl, but my mum told them what to do.”
“I didn’t tell them what to do, Hawk. I just told them she was still mentally aware and fighting for her life.”
“Did she survive?” Lucas asked and reached for another sandwich.
Maximum had stopped talking with Gabe and jumped into the conversation. “It was a miracle. The girl told Fleur that she wanted a particular doctor to come back and when he did, he managed to get her out of the coma.”
Lucas’ eyebrows rose up. “That’s crazy.”
“I’m the best animal communicator of me, Leon, and Dove,” Hawk bragged.
“You wish!” Dove said with a sour expression.
“I am! Mom told Grandma on the phone. I heard it myself.”
Seeing my sensitive daughter tear up again, I hurried to calm the waters. “You are both talented animal communicators.”
Leon looked toward Lucas and shrugged. “I’m not. I mean I like animals, but I’m not going to live on a farm when I grow up. Animals can be pretty annoying, and you have to get up really early to feed and care for them.”
Laughter spread around the table from us adults. “When was the last time you got up early to feed the animals?” I teased.
“Maybe you should come and live in the city with us. Chicago is a pretty dope place,” Benjamin said. “With Rose moving out now that she’s starting college, you could have her room.”
“I’d love that!” Leon exclaimed and looked to Maximum. “Can I move to the States and live with Uncle Atlas and Aunt Jolene?”
“Hold on, soldier. That’s not something you just do. It would take paperwork and you’re only fifteen. Maybe next year.”
“Why not come to LA and live with Lucas and me instead?” Gabe suggested. “The weather is better, and we have the beach.”
“Chicago is way better than LA,” Benjamin protested.
“If Leon goes to live in Chicago next year, can I go and live with Nathan and Serena?” Dove asked and looked to me.
Maximum and I exchanged a glance.
“I’ll be a sophomore next year and Lucas would be a senior. If you came to live with us, you could go to our high school.” Gabe placed his elbow on the table with a speculative expression on his handsome face. “That’d be fun, and if you made a ton of friends you could host a major sleepover with all your girlfriends at our house.”
Lucas made a tsk sound. “You’re tripping, bro.”
“Can we?” Leon repeated.
“That depends. From what I understand, Benjamin spends most of his time in his game room playing computer. That’s not exactly what Dad and I want for you.” My eyes were on Benjamin as I spoke.
“I don’t playallthe time. My mom is exaggerating.”
“So, if Leon came to live with you for a year, you’d go out and meet people?”
“Duh. I have friends, you know.”
“I had a year abroad as an exchange student in Australia when I was sixteen,” Calvin said. “It was one of the best years in my life and I grew so much as a person.”
“See,” Leon said to underline Calvin’s words.
“What about a year in South Africa to learn about your roots?” I suggested.
“We’ve been there so many times already. I really want to try living in the city.”
“I’ll go to South Africa,” Hawk piped up. “When I’m old enough.”
