75

MAXINE

Nick told me all about his life growing up. His parents had owned a large farm and after they had been murdered on a trip, his grandparents had stepped in to take care of him.

They had been both kind and strict, making him the man that he is today. It was why he couldn't turn away when he saw someone in need. It was why he felt obligated to help me.

"One time, just one time, I had brought in four stray cats into the barn. They were as tiny as my fist." Nick said, making a fist for me.

"I thought that since the farm was big enough, I could raise them and my grandparents wouldn't have to find out. I was so wrong," he continued.

"My grandmother brought the box into the house, scolding me about picking up stray animals." The memory brought a smile to his face.

"Did she throw them out?" I asked.

"Of course. But not immediately. We raised them for a couple of months until they were big enough and then we let them out. They kept coming back though. So, Grandfather drove them to anothe