Michael ran his hand through his brown hair. His blue eyes reminded me of his mom. He looked so much like her.
“I’ve been gambling, trying to win some money to help you with the club. And I was winning a lot of money at first, but then I started on a losing streak.”
I sighed. I couldn’t believe what he was telling me. There was no reason for him to gamble. He’d decided to drop out of college to manage the talent for the clubs. He’d promised me that with the right marketing, we could turn things around.
“This is stupid, Michael. We’re going through tough times, but…”
Michael shrugged.
“Fine. Well, how much do you owe Mr. Moretti?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Please don’t play with me. He comes from a long line of loan sharks. So tell me the truth.”
Clearly, Michael didn’t really know who he was dealing with. Salvatore Moretti, or simply Moretti, as he liked to be called, was one of the most dangerous people in the loan shark business.
“The truth?”
“Yes, the truth. We’re not playing the guessing game here,” I said.
“It’s twenty grand.” Michael gulped.
I shook my head and grabbed my head with both hands.
“Are you insane?” I asked. “How did you allow this to happen?”
“Dad, I didn’t. I don’t know. It just did. I was winning, and then I wasn’t.”
There was a knock at the door.
“What now, Michael? Are you expecting anybody else? Any other surprises? I’ll get it this time.”
I walked over to the front door and opened it slightly. Much to my surprise and joy, it was Blondie.
“Hi, Cole. I found this hat on the floor at the end of the building. Does this happen to be your hat?”
“Yes, thank you.”
I took it and dusted it off. I loved that hat. My father gave me that hat when I turned twenty-four years old. He gave it to me as a birthday gift.
“Alright. Glad I was able to help. See you later,” she said. Then she winked and blew me a kiss.
I grabbed it with my hand.
“Thank you,” I mouthed.
She turned around and walked away in those tight jean shorts and white sneakers.
I closed the door.
I stood there thinking about how this exchange felt so easy. How Blondie made me feel so comfortable, having just met her. I felt young again.
“Who was it?” Michael called from behind.
“It was Blondie. She found my black hat and came back to give it to me.”
“That’s great.”
