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Chapter Eleven
- Gabriel -
“Based on her physicalexamination, I can say your mother is very healthy for a woman her age. Her vitals, her blood pressure and oxygen levels, are all normal. I’ll draw some blood to check for other indicators.” Dr. Russo looked up from her laptop. I spoke to her alone while Lilly sat with my mother in the waiting room. “I told all of this to your sister and your mother, but what I didn’t say in front of Mrs. Calegari is that you were right to bring her in. She appeared to be fine today, but after the incidents your sister described, I have concerns.”
“What do you recommend?” It took every ounce of inner strength I had to keep the tremor out of my voice.
“That you take her to a neurologist. They can conduct the proper testing - brain scans such as CT’s - to get a proper diagnosis.”
I hated to ask; afraid I already knew the answer. “Alzheimer’s?”
She nodded. “That’s a possibility, but you should know, it’s not the only one. It will be important to get her to the neurologist as soon as you possibly can. The earlier a diagnosis is made, the sooner she can start treatment.” She turned away from me and started scribbling on a notepad. “I have a list of neurologists I can give you referrals for. They’re the best in their field, but there are a few names here you should give special consideration to. Check them out; see which one you’d like to use.”
The paper she gave me had five names written on it – three of them were Italian.
“Once you’ve selected the doctor you’d like her to see, call my office and I’ll write the referral for you.”
I stared at the names. “They’re all very good doctors,” Dr. Russo said softly. “I would take my mother to any one of them. You just need to decide which one is the best fit for your family.”
I folded the paper and tucked it into my breast pocket. “Thank you, Dr. Russo.” I put my hand out to shake hers. “As always, your dedication is appreciated.”
“Anytime.” She smiled. “Your mother is a wonderful person and deserves the best. She’s blessed to have children who love her so much.”
She wasn’t kissing ass, though her continued discretion meant a nice gift would be delivered to her home later this week.
“Thank you, again. I’ll review these names.” I paused in the doorway on my way out. “Is there anything we should do in the meantime?”
She shook her head. “Just what you’re already doing. Keep making notes about any further incidents, things you can share with the neurologist. The lab should be done drawing her blood by now and as soon as I have those results, I’ll let you know, though I don’t suspect we’ll find anything out of the ordinary.”
She touched my hand as we started to leave the room. “The one thing I do recommend is that regardless of the diagnosis, spend time with her. I know your family has been close over the years, but children grow up and have lives of their own. Make sure she’s still a part of it.”
I couldn’t speak, so I just nodded.
I’ve been threatened, shot at, and sliced across the abdomen with a blade the length of my hand.
But I had never felt so afraid.
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ONE HOUR LATER
“What delay?” I growled into the phone. “He said the software would be ready for testing within ninety days. That’s next month.”
“There have been some setbacks. Nothing major-”
“If it’s nothing major, then why is it being delayed until December? Don’t fuck with me, Stefan. If it’s not ready, it’s not ready, but I’m not going to tolerate being lied to. One delay is all they get. If it’s not ready for testing by December, I’m out and so are the men I brought on board. We have a lot of resources tied up in this project. Make sure they give us accurate estimates, or I’m done.”
“There won’t be any further delays. I can guarantee that.” The confidence in his voice reassured me, but this project was the one thing that couldn’t go wrong. I was shocked that he offered a guarantee. I didn’t know what went on behind the closed doors of his business, but I knew I never fucking guaranteed anything to anyone. The right to change my mind about anything, at any point in time, was a privilege I’d never give up. Once the words were out of his mouth, I’d hold him to it.
“If you’re vouching for them, then I’ll be patient. Until December.”
“I promise we’ll have something to show you by then. Don’t worry, Gabriel. This will work.”
It had to work.
The future of my family depended on it.
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