Page 39 of The Reverse Cinderella
“Good night,” Piaget called after her. She took Max’s arm and they walked along in silence enjoying each other’s company. Piaget enjoyed the feel of being on his arm again under the streetlights. They took a leisurely pace and eventually went through the park to her building.
When they got to the entryway, Piaget wasn’t sure what to say. She fiddled with her keys.
“Piaget, I want to thank you for giving me a second chance,” Max said solemnly. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to tell you why I’ve chosen to live this way.”
“I’d like that,” Piaget gave him a tentative smile. She invited him up to her apartment and they settled on the couch. Max held her hand, tracing her fingers with his free hand.
“I used to work for a large pharmaceutical company,” Max sighed as he began is story. “My job was to get drugs approved quickly by the FDA so that they could help people. I believed in what we were doing.
“Then I found out that one of my drugs, one that I had helped get through the FDA tape a little quicker, had serious side effects. My friend Dillon, his daughter Shannon was on that drug and things had started to go seriously wrong. I have a Bachelors of Science. I went through the clinical trials and found discrepancies. The drug helped to metabolize food so that patients would need less insulin. It also adversely affected kidneys and livers, causing irreversible damage. I brought the matter to the head of the company and he ignored it. We weren’t in the business of making people better. We were in the business of profiting from their illness.
“The company had a class lawsuit brought against it by the parents of the numerous children that were impacted. Because the company had so many lawyers and money, it crushed the lawsuit. I couldn’t bring forward the clinical results because the originals had been changed and I couldn’t prove otherwise. When I had confronted the head of the company, I’d foolishly left the documents that I had created about the discrepancies of the drug with him because I trusted that he would do the right thing. I was wrong.
“After the trial, I talked to the defense team and set up a fund for all these kids, to help pay for medical expenses. To help the families endure a problem that we created because all the children who took our drug have either died or are dying. I personally apologized to any family that wanted to meet with me. When the head of the company found out about the fund he was furious. I had opened the company up to liability. He told me to dissolve the fund and I refused. We were responsible, it was the least we could do,” Max gave a joyless laugh. “I was responsible. I had help fast track this drug. The owner and I argued but I wouldn’t back down. I was fired from my job, although they termed it better. I believe they said I left over personal reasons or some such thing. I was blacklisted from all other companies of the same distinction in a quiet, unofficial way
“I sold everything I had and put it in that fund. Every penny that isn’t for my basic survival, I give to the fund. And I’ve done it. All of those children’s medical care has been covered except one. Shannon isn’t covered because Dillon won’t let me, but he understands what I am trying to do. Now there are only two survivors left. Shannon and a boy named Rubio. Rubio is a fighter but he’s in the last stages and it won’t be long now.
“I’m just trying to do the right thing. The hospital bills are huge. I’ve sold everything I own to put money towards them. I’ve fundraised, I’ve begged old friends. I can’t justify using money on an apartment to make myself more comfortable when some of the parents couldn’t pay the hospital bills or they themselves would have been homeless. I know it’s hard to understand, but this is something I just had to do. I feel responsible and I’m doing my best to help them.
“I work for a demolition company. I’m not in labor so much anymore. When the boss found out I was good for getting permits and organizing things, he made me a manager. He’s ready to retire and I’ve been working toward taking over the company. It’s how I’ve managed to keep paying the last of the hospital bills for the past five years. Once I settle Rubio’s bills, it will be over. Then I can work on starting over financially. I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you.”
“Oh Max,” Piaget didn’t know what to say. It put a whole different light on his situation. She felt badly for how she had reacted.
“Can you forgive me Piaget?”
“There is nothing to forgive,” she hugged him tightly. “Isn’t there something that could be done to make the drug company pay? I know you feel responsible, but you shouldn’t have to shoulder this burden alone.”
“They are very powerful. No one wants to go up against that company,” Max sighed and savored the feeling of holding onto her. He pressed a kiss into her hair. “I’m not shouldering the burden alone. I’m sharing it now, with you.”
“I’m glad you are,” Piaget leaned against him. “Is there any way I can help? You said you fundraise? I know some people who might be able to contribute to your fund.”
“I think I’m at a point where to fundraise might mean getting too many contributions. Then I wouldn’t know what to do with the extra money,” Max shrugged. “It’s just Rubio and then I’ll be done. I think in less than a year and I can start putting money towards my future.”
“Basically, you’re as broke as I am,” Piaget drew circles on his shoulder with her finger.
“Yup,” he agreed. “Financially, sure. I think we’re rich in a different way though.”
Piaget looked up at him. “How is that?”
“We have each other.”
Piaget smiled. She was very glad that she had forgiven him. “You’re sleeping on the couch tonight.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m not going to worry that you’re somewhere out there, sleeping on the street, waiting to get murdered by some thug,” Piaget said seriously.
Max laughed. “You sound like my brother, Noah.”
“Well maybe Noah has a point,” Piaget poked him in the chest. “If you don’t, I’m not going to be able to sleep for worrying about you.”
“Being on the streets isn’t great. However, it’s not as unsafe as all these crime shows and the nightly news makes it out to be. Plus, I’m not actually sleeping out on the sidewalk right now,” Max said.
“Right now? You mean that you have,” Piaget questioned with some alarm.
“Hey, it’s okay. I’m either in the company truck or at the men’s shelter, depending how crowded it is,” he gently pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “Would you like to see the shelter? It’s not that bad.”
“Not that bad,” Piaget murmured. “Compared to what?”