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you sure? I don’t like the idea of you dealing with him in that state,” he says, his expression wary.
    “But I promised Jess I’d look out for him.” It unnerves me how effortlessly I lie. Why am I even doing it?
    Jonathan purses his lips and his eyes narrow as he glances back at Max. He pulls his card out of his pocket and hands it to me. “Will you call me tomorrow and let me know everything’s all right?”
    I agree, just as Max slurs a string of profanities.
    I grab his arm tightly, step close, and I say between gritted teeth, “Stop it right now, Max. Keep your mouth shut and I’ll get you out of here before you do any more damage.”
    He pulls back and eyes me with a suspicious look as he sways. “Did you just tell me to shut my mouth?”
    “I certainly did,” I snap, as I drag him toward the rear of the gallery and into the hallway leading to the back door off the alley. I push him against the wall and give him a long hard look.
    “What, what, Ava? What in the fuck do you want?” he barks as his eyes narrow.
    “I’m trying to help you, asshole. You’re just too damn talented to go down in flames. Why would you say that stuff to Jonathan, of all people? Don’t you care about any of this?” I wave my arms toward the gallery walls. I’m so frustrated, tears start sliding down my face.
    The moment Max notices my tears, he freezes. I don’t know why, but something about my reaction shuts him down, and his whole demeanor goes dark and introverted as if a heavy black cloth has been pulled over him. His defeated expression reminds me of a friend I had once who described her swings into severe depression like falling into a black hole.
    That’s it. I better get him out of here before he gets worse. “Okay, Max, I’m going to take care of this. Promise me you won’t move. Just stay here.”
    There’s no recognition, just a deep sigh and the blank, desolate stare, but at least he doesn’t move.
    When I rush to the front and find Joe, I plead, “I need your help.”
    “What’s up, babe? I’m about to leave with Monique. The show’s closing up soon anyway. Do you need a ride or something?”
    “No it’s Max. He’s completely fucked up and I have to get him back to his hotel. Can you get a cab and bring it around back for Max and me?”
    He looks irritated, but agrees and tells his friend he’ll be back in a few minutes.
    I angrily admonish myself as I quickly retrace my steps through the gallery. What is it with your stupid caretaking tendencies? Like Mom wasn’t bad enough, now you’re looking out for a crazy artist you barely know. I’m disgusted with myself.
    As I finally rush into the hallway, I stop suddenly. One of the art groupies is on her knees in front of Max and she’s moaning and rubbing her hands across his crotch. He’s still in the same position I left him with the same dark expression, and unbelievably, doesn’t even seem to react to what the skank is doing. I gasp loud enough that she jerks her head toward me. She licks her lips and gives me the evil eye.
    In a raw, gritty voice she says, “Back off, bitch, he’s mine.”

Chapter Four / Reluctant Savior
    Life beats down and crushes the soul and art reminds you that you have one.
    ~Stella Adler
    I’ m gone for what, a frigging minute, and he’s already moments away from a blowjob. How’d this skank even find him? The temptation to spin on my heel and leave the sordid scene is overwhelming, but I remember Joe’s probably waiting in the alley, so I resign myself to finish what I started.
    Max still hasn’t moved an inch, and his blank stare is even more haunting. I storm down the hallway, around the bitch on her knees, and grab Max’s arm to pull him toward the back. Luckily, he doesn’t resist, and the girl falls on her ass with the momentum of his movement. The shrill echo of her cursing follows us as I push him out the back door.
    Joe’s right there and finishes the motion, pushing Max right into the cab,