I walked back to my seat and sat down.
“Well. That took you long enough. Were you hitting on that poor girl?” Clarissa asked with resentment in her voice.
“Clarissa. Relax. This is not the time or the place,” I whispered. “It’s not my intention to get you all upset. Remember your condition. I don’t want to aggravate things.”
“You’re right. I need to take care of myself. Just promise me you’ll stop doing stupid things like that.”
“Fine. Just relax for now,” I whispered.
The boys, Ralph and Rocco, looked totally bored, just waiting there.
“Boys, why don’t you get something to eat? There’s a vending machine with sandwiches and drinks in the hallway,” I said.
“Yeah, that’s a good idea,” Ralph said.
They both nodded. They both got up to go to the vending machine.
“We’ll just have to see what comes of this,” I said.
“This is nerve-wracking,” Clarissa replied.
Let’s hope for the best.
CHAPTER 12
CLARISSA
This whole blood transfusion situation with Moretti had me worried sick. Moretti Senior was a big threat. I had met him once, back in the day, and he was a total asshole. He wouldn’t help me convince Cole if something happened to his son.
My only option was Moretti. I needed him to help me convince Cole to sell one of his clubs to help me with my treatment.
My original plan to get Ralph on the will and try to get fifty thousand dollars as a goodwill gesture to make up for lost time with his newfound son had gone to pieces.
Cole was broke; he barely had enough money to run the clubs as it is. But he would never agree to sell the clubs. His father made him promise that on his deathbed. He could not sell off the family legacy.
I heard two finger snaps in front of me, which brought me back from my deep thoughts.
“You look preoccupied,” Cole pointed out. “Is it the tumor?”
“Yes, of course. What else could it be? I mean, I’m doing better thanks to the treatments, and I’m not dying anytime soon, but I can’t tell the future.”
“Sure, I understand. I didn’t mean to be insensitive,” Cole said. “When do you have to have treatment again?”
I let out a heavy sigh.
“As soon as I have the money.”
Cole looked confused. He got up from the chair next to me and sat right in front of me. The boys were still eating out in the hallway.
“I thought the insurance was helping you with that,” he said.
“Yes and no.”
“What does that mean?” Cole asked.
“It means I need fifty thousand dollars to continue with the treatment. It’ll be down in Mexico.”
I don’t know what happened. I just blurted it all out. Stupid me.
