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WHAT CAME BEFORE

SUDDENLY, MAX IS STANDING AT THE FOOT OF MY BED

I sit up, rubbing my eyes Did I fall asleep?

He smiles "Hey"

He's wearing jeans and a T-shirt He looks good "Hey, yourself When did they let you out of the hospital?"

"An hour ago I was afraid you weren't going to wake up in time"

My head is fuzzy with sleep I give it a shake and focus on Max "You really look good I just left Texas a few hours ago You made a miraculous recovery"

"In a way" He takes a seat on the end ofto tell you And I don't think I have much time"

I smile "Why not?"

"Oh, you know, places to go, people to see"

"You realize Pablo is in custody"

"Yes But that's not why I'm here"

I prop ainst the headboard and try to concentrate My brain isn't cooperating It see I tell it to shut up, that I only want to listen to Max I lean toward him "Go on"

He sighs "First, I owe you an apology I didn't treat you very hen I found out you are a vampire I was afraid of what itNot really Above all, you are a good woret is that I realized it too late"

I shrug "You can make it up to me"