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Maxwell Steele stepped out of post-op and let his shoulder slump. He was bone tired, but mostly he feared his last surgery had been in vain. What kind of world causes kids' bodies to get filled with cancer? He removed as much malignant growth as he could, but it would be up to the oncologists to figure out the rest. That was a specialty he could never bear. He would move on to focus on the next patient and the next without ever finding out the outcome of his little patient.

His problem was he cared too much. Even as a child he wanted to help others. Zach was the fun one and Max was always the serious one, but he laughed too. Around the hospital, he was known for joking with his patients.

Sighing, he wanted to head home for some sleep, but he had to check on his patient again. It wasn't late, but he had been on his feet for fourteen hours, starting with six am rounds.

He sat in the cafeteria with a sandwich in front of him. It was the prepackaged kind, and the lettuce was limp with soggy bread from the tomato. He had eaten worse. Zach had long business lunches while Max sliced around vital organs.

The list of differences between the brothers was endless. The biggest was Zach and Lilli settled into marital bliss while Max lived the life of a college student. His home was a crash pad he shared with five other residents. It had two bedrooms and four beds, so they grabbed whatever bed was available. At least two were typically on overnight shifts. Occasionally, someone had to sleep on the ratty sofa or share a bed. He didn't mind sharing with Steph. She was a third year internal medicine resident. They had a casual relationship, because he had no time for feelings.

He pulled out his phone. His mother had texted him. It was early enough to call. Lois turned off her phone at ten every night.

"Max, how are you?"

"Good. Tired. Same as I've been the last fifteen years."

"But the end is in sight. I'm so proud of you."

"I know, mom. Tell me something new."

"My brother is turning sixty. Anita's throwing him a party. I think Olivia will do the work, she's so good at it."

Max closed his eyes. It was hard to reconcile the ragamuffin he first laid eyes on to with the young woman she became. None of them were young anymore, even Livvy was thirty-one.

"... You'll need to arrange your schedule. No excuses. He's your uncle."

"Just tell me the date and I'll do my best."

Two of his med school friends were getting married. He had received a save the date notice. Hopefully, the events wouldn't compete. He had already dusted off his suit for job interviews.

"... Anita said they would find room if you want to stay over. Even if it means a slumber party on the third floor."

"Mom, where I'm living would appal you. Uncle Kurt's walk-in closet would feel like luxury."

Lois laughed. "You remind me of Olivia. She always said my bath towels were luxurious after her weeks at camp."

Max shook his head as a slow smile crossed his face. Olivia who went to camp in the woods was an oxymoron to the Manhattan girl.

"I have to go check on a patient. Then I'm going to get some shuteye."

"Bye, sweetheart. Don't forget to eat."

"I won't. Bye mom."

Max was more than ready to move home. Not into his parents' house but near them. He wanted a position at a hospital in or near Boston, but wasn't choosy. As he drove to his run-down apartment, he reminded himself how badly he wanted to get out of New Haven. On July first, he envisioned himself entering the real world with a large enough salary to do it in style. Only a crazy person would become a doctor for the money. The grueling years leading to the real payday were impossible without a love of medicine or a higher calling.

As he entered the apartment, he saw two bodies out cold in front of the TV. Even when beds were available, some never made it. He entered the room he considered his. Thankfully, there was an empty bed. It was the same one he slept in the night before. Double plus. He grabbed his blanket and pillows and undid his jeans. He always showered at the hospital. This place was for sleeping only. Other than cereal for late night snacks, he never ate there. When he had two days off in a row, he went to a hotel, because the drive home wasn't worth it.

A lump was in the other bed. The lack of snoring meant it wasn't Eddie. Awake, the guy reminded him of Zach's obnoxious friend, Troy. Asleep, he snored and farted all night.

He pounded on his pillows to reshape the faux down. The body stirred. "Max, is that you?"

"Yeah." Steph turned over. "Sorry to wake you."

"S'okay. You tired?"

"I'm always tired."

"Do you want to?"

He paused. It had been a few weeks. "What about that third year in the ED?" He might be casual, but he didn't want to get involved if she was seeing someone.

She scoffed. "He couldn't make time for me."

"Time is a mirage. None of us have time. I can give you fifteen minutes before I'm out cold."

She giggled. "With you I can come in five."

He didn't want her thinking he was special, because he was leaving the state. Also, it wasn't helpful to remember the girl he was about to screw had many others, some under the same roof. Max was a hypocrite because he wasn't much better. He shut his eyes to wash away some less than stellar behavior but he made the mistake of taking his college 'let's screw' attitude into the real world only once.

The sound of Breaking Benjamin roused him. The naked body beside him confined his stretch. "Wake up. Turn that rock crap off."

"Like Miley and her Wrecking Ball is any better?"

"Whatever. I need to shower. Grand rounds in an hour. I hate Thursdays."

Max had cleaned himself when he slid the condom off. It was the last thing he did before passing out. He only needed a moment to pull on the same clothes he had worn home. With clean boxers and socks in his locker, he would return home to sleep.

After arriving at the hospital and changing into scrubs, he stopped for coffee and a protein bar. Looking at his watch, he had five minutes to eat before he was late. When his phone buzzed, he hoped it wasn't the ED already. His old friend, Seb, a practicing general surgeon in NYC, wanted to know if he still had the weekend off.

Did he want to go into the city and be social or sleep for two days in a clean hotel? He would rather crash at his uncle's in Chelsea if he went. It wouldn't hurt to ask, so he sent a quick text as he swallowed his last bite. Washing it down with coffee, he stood waiting for rounds.

"Ready, doctors?" A chorus of 'yes, doctor' followed and his day began.

He looked at his phone between pissing and scrubbing in for a hernia repair on a three-month-old. His uncle was going to Boston, but Max was welcome to stay. An empty house in NYC was better than a hotel. A night out was just what the doctor ordered.

He woke up on Saturday at ten. His first task was to wash his clothes. Max hated the laundromat, but repeated his mantra. Almost done, almost done. He only bothered once a month. He had a lot of underwear and socks. Four more trips might be all it would take. After lunch at his favorite local diner, he packed a bag and went to the train station. He slept on the trip into the city. It wasn't cold for January so he walked the fifteen minutes to the house.

Max dug out his own key to his uncle's place. It came in handy when he returned late at night although Livvy would typically wait up for him. He felt disappointed she wouldn't be there, but she always went with her parents, so she could see his brother.

The warm air was welcoming, as he stepped into the foyer. A noise in the kitchen put his shoulders straight. Slowly, he walked to investigate.

"Don't!" He warned.

Olivia stood in the middle of the kitchen with a cast iron pan over her shoulder like she was at home plate and his head was the ball. After she lowered her weapon, he took in the sight of her. Her disheveled robe revealed too much skin.

"Why are you here?" she whispered.

"Why aren't you dressed?"

She pulled her robe tighter as her skin blushed. "I'm getting ready to go out. You don't usually pop by for a visit. We're not in the neighborhood."

"My uncle knew I was coming. I had thought. I assumed you went with them to see Zach."

"No. I have a date tonight."

Max felt her words like the kick in his groin he deserved. He said the first words that popped into his mind. "You never date." The minute he said the words he corrected himself.

Some of you have been waiting to hear from Max. I hope you liked Camp Livvy. We will be going back in time throughout.

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