“Don’t…do what? Say ‘I’m sorry?’” I spit back, probably a lot harsher than I mean to.

“Yeah,” she says, tossing the sponge in the sink and wiping her hands dry on the front of her jeans while she walks past me. “Don’t say you’re sorry.”

Shit!

I follow her back though the kitchen door. Max is still sitting in his place, playing on his iPad, and Ray has moved on to business already, loading in some crates from the back. I look over and think about helping him just so I have an excuse to leave this conversation. But it’s really my fault I’m having it in the first place, so instead, I decide to be a prick about it and slide up on one of the stools next to Max.

“What are you guys doing today?” I ask, knowing Max will probably answer before Avery. I can actually feel her dig her heels in behind the bar while her eyes roll.

“Mom says I am to get a haircut,” Max says, his voice almost robotic, and his eyes not leaving the screen of his tablet.

“Haircut, huh? Okay, that sounds good,” I fold my hands and smile smugly at Avery. I’m totally tagging along for the haircut. And hell, I might just follow along for groceries, and watch her do her damn homework just to piss her off at this point.

“I don’t like having people touch my hair,” Max’s eyes flair when he says this, and his tone seems more irritated, so I don’t tease anymore. I don’t want him to think that I’m teasing him.

She leans forward now and forces Max to acknowledge her gaze. “But you are starting school next week, and part of that means getting a haircut. We’ve been over this, right Max?” She seems tense again, so I decide to back off. I’m about to let her off the hook completely when Max becomes my unexpected wingman.

“Can Mason come?” when Max asks, Avery’s eyes almost leave her head. I can actually hear her swallow in response, and she quickly turns her attention to me, her lips barely open, but her face saying everything. She doesn’t want me to come—I don’t even have to ask. But she needs me to come—because Max asked. I haven’t known him long, but I know enough to know this is a big deal.

My eyes lock with Avery’s, and I do my best to smile, genuinely. “I’d love to, Max. I’d love to,” I say, and Avery’s shoulders instantly relax.

I understand why getting a haircut was such a big deal the moment we pull into the parking lot in front of the barber. Max seemed fine for most of the car ride, his mind occupied with his game for most of the way. Once we pulled in, and Avery took the iPad from him to store in her purse, everything about Max began to change.

It’s not a normal tantrum like I’m used to seeing. My mom used to babysit kids Max’s age, and when they didn’t get ice cream or to watch their favorite cartoon, it was hard to convince the neighbors that my mom wasn’t beating them.

But Max is different. It’s clear he’s uncomfortable. Something is suddenly off, and his eyes are darting in all directions, not able to focus on a single person or place. It’s almost panic, but yet it seems so much worse. He’s unsettled, like he doesn’t belong.

When Avery opens the back door, rather than exiting, Max starts to kick and rock, each time his movements gaining more power. I want to help, and I feel like I’m intruding by just standing behind her, but honestly, I don’t know where the hell to even begin. When she reaches in, just hoping to get his hand, he smacks it away, repeatedly, and starts humming anxiously.

“Max, you need to use your words. Tell me what’s wrong?” she sounds so desperate, and I can’t help but join in.

“Yeah, Max. I was excited to come along with you. What’s wrong, buddy?” I say, but Avery just shoots me a death stare over her shoulder when I speak. I shrug my shoulders with frustration. I know she’s trying to dissolve this situation, and I know she’s embarrassed, but f**k! I’m just trying to help. I have no idea what to do.

Avery gets in the car next to Max and shuts the door, locking me on the outside. I’m left to do nothing but lean on the nearby light post and watch. I can’t hear them, but I know Max is still humming. Avery’s eyes are closed, and she’s sitting calmly next to Max, just waiting. Her lips are barely moving, almost as if she’s talking to herself. After a few minutes, Max seems to be relaxing, and that’s when I see Avery’s eyes open. She unbuckles her purse and shows Max a bag of something that looks like candies, and she pulls one out and hands it to him before putting the rest in her purse. Finally, after at least ten minutes, Max turns his head in her direction; his eyes are almost on hers when he talks, before he suddenly turns back to the front.