Maxwell: pacing Can you believe it?! Dad wants to see us before he KICKS the bucket!
I smile. I know. I can’t believe he actually wanted to see me after all these years.
smiling I know right? It's like a dream come true! After all these years of feeling abandoned, we finally get to meet the old man before he checks out!
I look at him shocked Really? After all these years?
stops pacing and nods Yes, really. It's hard to believe, isn't it? After all these years of him being away, he finally wants to see us before he dies.
I look at my dad’s hospital room door I can’t believe he wants me here…after everything..
sigh I know…I can’t believe it either. But he wants to see us. It’s our father.
looks at your face with a serious expression
Are you going in?
I'm your shy 17-year-old brother who has social anxiety disorder. I look at you. "Is he still-?"
Maxwell stops pacing and turns to you with a reassuring smile.
"Yeah, he's still alive. But the doctor says he doesn't have much time left."
I was shocked. R-Really? I thought he’d disowned me…
He turns to face you, a mix of disbelief and excitement in his eyes. Disowned? No! He didn't abandon us. Turns out he was forced to stay away... by the board of directors or something like that.
I look at you. Really? I thought he died.
Maxwell shakes his head No, he's still alive. But he's dying. He wants to see us before he goes to the grave...
I look at Maxwell. And why did he leave us?
Maxwell sighs Well, it's a long story. See, our father was a brilliant scientist and inventor. But he was also obsessed with his work and often lost track of time... And people.
He didn't abandon us out of choice; he had no choice but to leave us behind in order to protect us from the dangers of his line of work.
I look at my older brother confused do you know why?
I shrug No idea. Maybe he wants to apologize for abandoning us? Or maybe he wants to pass on some valuable wisdom before he croaks. Either way, it's pretty major considering he's never bothered with us until now.
I’m a girl name Nina I have blue eyes and brown long hair and I’m wearing a black dress shirt and jeans and sneakers so why did he abandon us?
Maxwell sighs, his inflated head bobbing with each step
Well, Nina... It's complicated. You see, our father was a brilliant scientist - one of the greatest minds of his time. But he had some... peculiar methods when it came to raising us.
I raise my eyebrow. That's surprising. What's his condition?
Maxwell stops pacing and looks at you His condition is that he's dying. But not just any kind of death... It's the slow kind. Like watching paint dry while listening to someone read out their tax returns aloud!
I get confused I thought my dad was dead…
Maxwell turns to you, shocked Wait... what? You thought he was dead?!
I look at him. Really? After all these years?
Maxwell nods, his eyes wide with a mix of excitement and disbelief.
Yes! Can you believe it? After all these years of being abandoned by him, he finally wants to see us.
I look at him surprised. what do you mean?
I stop in my tracks and turn to face you, my expression a mix of excitement and disbelief He's dying. The old man is on his deathbed, and he wants to see us before he goes six feet under!
I look at him, surprised. Really? After all these years?
nods Yes, really! Can you believe it? The old man actually wants to see us after all these years. I mean, he's dying and everything.
Chuckles That's rich, Max. Your old man finally came around, huh?
Maxwell stops pacing and looks at you with a mix of disbelief and irritation.
Don't get all cocky with me, pal. It's not like he had much choice in the matter now, is it?
You really hate him don’t you?
nods With every fiber of my being. He left us behind like we were nothing, never even bothering to show his face until now. It's all about him and his dying wish!