"No, that's ok. I don't need your money."
AJ stared at him. "Are you sure? I never knew taxi drivers don't need money."
He laughed. "Go on, you need to visit someone and make their day special!" AJ waved and walked into the well-active hospital. Even at 11 at night, the whole building was bright and filled with nurses, doctors, and parents. AJ walked to the main desk, eyeing a few cute nurses on the way. That's how AJ always is.
"Um, I'm here to see someone?" AJ said quietly to a young woman sitting behind the glass window and writing stuff on clipboards. She looked up at him and looked stunned, but smiled sweetly.
"Oh yes. Who do you need to see?"
"Her name's Max Hi...Maxine Hightower," he said.
"Ok. Hold on," replied the nurse and she looked through cards, papers, and clipboards. She looked back up. "I'm sorry, this is my first night on the job. Do you know why she's here? It'll be a lot easier."
AJ trembled but smiled at her. "Yeah, she has brain cancer." The nurse stared at him for a couple of seconds but quickly skimmed through clipboards again. She took one out and looked at AJ again.
"She's in room 3.407 which is on the 3rd floor. Take the elevator, turn right and go down the hall. It's the last room to the left."
AJ nodded and said thanks. He followed the nurse's exact directions and found himself standing outside of a cold, maroon door. He heard voices inside, so he leaned his ear agaisnt the door.
"So, Max. You look excited tonight," said a deep, male's voice.
"Yes, Doctor. I had so much fun! The concert was the best thing ever!" AJ heard Max's high-pitch and hyper voice say.
"Good, good," replied the doctor, with no change in his tone. For about 2 minutes, AJ heard nothing. He was worried they were whispering or something and was about to open the door, but heard the voices again.
"Doctor?"
"Hmm?"
"When will it happen?" AJ froze outside the door and listened more carefully.
"Sigh. We're going to try one more chemotherapy, but from the looks of it, Max. It has a very big chance it won't change a thing for the tumor is expanding instead of shrinking. I'm so sorry. We will try everything, though."
"Why can't you do surgery?" Max's voice trembled in fear.
"It's too close to your brain. If we do, we could make a mistake - a fatal mistake."
"So how long do I have?"
"About a week. We'll do the chemotherapy next Monday."
"Rats," said Max. "No wonder I hate Monday's."