Page 117 of Theta

Story arches an eyebrow at me. "I'm almost thirty.”

"You will never be too old to embarrass," Mom says, ruffling my hair. "Okay. Now I know you're gonna recover, this old lady needs a glass of wine, a long nap, and an orga…nized tour of this cute little town." She was definitely about to say something that started with orga- and ended with -sm, but detoured halfway through.

"Nice recovery, Ma," I deadpan, giving her a droll stare.

She gives a cutesy smile and shrug. "I'm sure I don't know what you mean."

I sigh. "You two have a really fun habit of leaving your villa open. Let's just say I’ve heard a lot of your…organized tours and Dad's yodeling moose impression."

Mom splutters, cackling with a hand over her mouth. "Killian!"

"Blame it on the painkillers," I say, pointing at the bag hanging from the IV.

She kisses my forehead, and Selah and Story exchange gentle cheek kisses, and then Story and I are alone…for roughly a minute.

Until Dr. Lia comes in. "You have had enough visiting time." She looks at me. “I know to rest is difficile, but it is what will heal you most quickly."

I can't stop a yawn. "I hate it, but I know I need it. And I don't think I could stay awake much longer anyway. I glance up at the bags of drugs. "Did you give me knock-out drugs?"

Dr. Lia just laughs. "No, no. Unless you are fighting me to get out of the bed, I do not give you this. Your body will make you sleep. You only must let it."

"Well, I'm about to let it," I say.

"Good—that is good." She checks the IV machine settings, glances at the monitors for vitals, takes our temps, and then smiles at us from the door. "All is look good. Soon, you go home."

"When is soon?" I ask.

"Some days. Due, o tre, maybe four, but I do not think so. I think two. I think you leave on the third day from today."

"We can't thank you enough, Dr. Lia," Story says.

Dr. Lia shakes her head. “No, no. Is why I am here. You are not the first patient to be seen in secret, hmm? Not the first to need a hiding place. Giuseppe, he brings me some like you more oftenly than I should like. But I take the vow, hmm? So, I heal." She shrugs. "And anyway, I received a notice one hour ago—someone with a lot of money has donated cinque milioni di euros to my…" She frowns, thinking. "Organizzazione no-profit, which makes run this ospedale."

I laugh. "Sounds like Uncle Val."

"Who is this?" she asks. "This Uncle Val who sends me so much money?"

Story and I trade glances.

"He's not really either of our uncles,” Story says. "More like a very close family friend. He…he has a bit of money, and he likes to help out."

I snicker. "A bit of money? Like saying the sun is kinda warm."

"Ehi? What means this?"

"I was being circumspect," Story says.

"We're talking about Valentine Roth," I say.

Dr. Lia's eyes widen. "Oh. Oh my. I see." She shrugs. "It is a very large gift. Give him my thanks when you see him." A pause. "Is it a gift with…ehh…condizioni annesse?"

"Conditions?" I guess. "Like, strings attached?" She nods, and I shake my head. "No, god no. Never. That's not how Uncle Val works."

"Knowing him," Story adds, "That's probably just an initial thank you until he decides how to really reward you."

“But I do not ask for a reward."

"I know. But Uncle Val is…" Story shrugs. "He’s Uncle Val. You can't stop him."