2030_ The Real Story of What Happens to America - Albert Brooks [142]
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Max Leonard called Kathy and invited her to dinner on a Wednesday night, the day before he had said he was leaving town. She hadn’t talked to him since he refused the money, but when she saw his face on her screen she knew she wanted to go. He picked her up and they went to Gino’s, a family-style Italian place that had been her father’s favorite, and she wondered if Max had chosen it on purpose. But Max had no idea. He’d even forgotten that they had eaten there before. He seemed very scattered.
“Why did you choose this place?” Kathy asked.
“I don’t know. It was close. I let the car choose it. I put in ‘Italian’ and the car said this was good.”
“Oh. I thought it was because of my dad.”
“No.” They sat there in silence and Kathy knew that something was wrong with him. He ate nothing, drank several glasses of water, and had trouble looking her in the eye. He was on something, but she wasn’t sure what. Finally she addressed it.
“Are you all right?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“You’re speedy and you’re not eating and you’re weird.” Max didn’t try to argue. He admitted it.
“I’m taking something for my testosterone.”
“What’s wrong with it?”
“It’s too low.”
“Is that safe?”
“It’s fine. At my age your testosterone levels are supposed to be high; mine aren’t.”
“Did a doctor give you that?”
“Sure. Where would you think I got it?”
“In the mail.”
“So what if it came in the mail? It came from a doctor. I sent my fucking blood in and he told me this is what I needed. Why are you giving me the third degree?” It took Max only a few moments at the table to lose his temper. Kathy felt depressed. She still loved this man, but she was watching someone leave her life and she didn’t know how to stop it or even if she wanted to.
“I don’t want to fight with you, Max. Maybe you should take me home.”
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry I lost my temper. I have a lot on my mind.”
“Like what?”
“I can’t tell you because you won’t approve. Ever since you started working for that old fuck, you’re different. I’m still fighting the fight, Kathy. I still want equality.”
“And you don’t think I do?”
“You’re working for them now. They’ve got you. Your principles have been compromised.” Kathy got up.
“Take me home.”
Max didn’t seem to care whether they stayed or not. They left the restaurant and got in his car. He continued his rant. “You were once someone who saw the injustice and now your paycheck is coming from them. Do you realize that?”
“My paycheck is coming because I sell houses better than other people and I am earning it. I wasn’t born rich like you!”
“I resent that. I gave you the fucking money to pay your father’s medical bill so you wouldn’t have to work for a fucking eighty-year-old.”
“Stop the car.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Stop the car!” Max pulled over to the curb. Kathy got out even though she was miles from home. “I never asked for that money and I tried to pay you back and I’m going to pay you back even if I never see you again. I will put the money in your account whether you want it or not. Do not contact me. Something is wrong with you and you should see a doctor. And not a fucking doctor somewhere in Mexico who is giving you pills that are making you crazy.”
And with that she walked away. Max pulled up next to her. He rolled down the passenger window. He just looked at her for a moment and then said, “I love you, baby. You’ll understand soon enough. You will be proud of me.” And he drove off.
Kathy sat down on the curb and cried. How could such a strong flame burn out like this? But that’s what people always said. Too hot. Too hot to handle. Maybe there would be a miracle and he would come to his senses, unless he was already there. Her heart was breaking, but for the first time in her life she had something else to turn to. Not another person. A job. A career. And for Kathy, that was huge.
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
Almost ten thousand people at the Miami Dome had paid to see Shen Li. Paul Prescott, who organized the event, was over the top with excitement. “This is much better than the vice president,