He was in deepest day-after shambles when the phone rang.
"Ugh, hlo?"
"Hi, Joe."
"Max! How ya doin', buddy?"
"Fine. I'm at the airport."
"Great! Come on over, or are you just flying through?"
"I thought I'd stay a couple of days. Kate told me you were here."
Half an hour later, there he was. "Max, you look terrific . . . growing up, man, getting stronger."
"Thanks, you don't look so great," Max said.
"Nah, long night, never mind. A walk, rice and eggs, it will all be history." Max put his pack down in a corner. "That's not the lightest looking pack."