Richard was just as shocked at Esmeralda’s statement that Maxie should leave as much as Maxie was.  Suddenly his empathy changed towards Maxie.  He had to speak up.  “I…I didn’t mean that she had to leave.  I mean, if she’s your friend, I don’t want to cause you to lose a friend.  I know only too well how difficult that can be.”  He looks at Maxie, “I can’t say I like you right now, but I don’t want to be the reason you lose your place.”  He turns back to Esmeralda.  “Why are you so sure I’d leave?  Life must have been very hard on you to be without friends or lovers for so long?”  His stomach then growled and he gave an uncomfortable face.  “Sorry, I haven’t eaten since breakfast.  What do you all eat?”