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Thomas made some calls and learned that Alfredo had a need for emergency surgery due to brain swelling. Then the lieutenant called and confirmed it.
“Hey, alpha, the old man’s in the ICU,” the street lieutenant told Thomas. “Just like you guessed.”
“Brain swelling?” Thomas asked.
“Correct again.”
“Does Lorena know you’re close by?”
“Ha, ha. Are you trying to bust my balls?” the street lieutenant answered. “Not a chance. I am as close as her eyelashes, and she doesn’t have a clue.”
“Good man. Keep it that way,” Thomas told him. “I am sending in some specialists. Some of them may get there before I do, and I’m on my way right now. Make sure nobody gives any of my specialists a hard time.”
“Absolutely. I will make sure everything is smooth for them,” his man replied. “What kind of specialists? Medical or the other kind, the get-your-hands-dirty kind?”
“Medical. I’ll see you in a few.”
Thomas hung up the phone and then hurried to the car. He slid into the driver’s seat and took off for the hospital. On the drive, Thomas called several experts from around the country. Called in some favors, and the calvary was on its way. Then he called the hospital to notify them of the imminent arrival of the specialists and arranged for Alfredo D’Augustino’s hospital bill to be paid for by an anonymous entity, which, of course, was Thomas.
After the plethora of support and favors and the specialists had been arranged to descend upon the hospital for Alfredo D’Augustino’s care, Thomas could feel the lion’s approval from deep inside him.
Take care of our mate.
At the hospital, it didn’t take much time to find Lorena, her father, and some of the support Thomas had arranged. The street lieutenant was quick to point out the doctors who had arrived and Lorena’s whereabouts.
Lorena had been talking to what looked like a hospital administrator when Thomas arrived, so he waited until Lorena and the staff were done talking before sitting beside her in the ICU waiting area.
He sat close, smiled, and waited for her to say something.
“It’s good to see you,” she said.
“This is important. I do not want you riding this out alone.”
“Word travels fast,” she snapped.
“Daryl has a hard time keeping his mouth shut,” he told her.
“That is becoming very clear. I have a question.”
“I want to hear your question,” he said.
“That woman you just saw me talking to. she’s the hospital administrator. She has some papers for me to sign. Some anonymous entity is insisting on paying my father’s medical expenses while here at the hospital.”
“That’s great news, Lorena,” he told her. “You deserve it, and your father too.”
“Do you know anything about that anonymous entity? Because I’m thinking it’s you.”
“What are the updates on your father?” he asked. He knew it was totally obvious he was dodging her question.
“The other thing I am curious about is that a neurosurgeon and an anesthesiologist showed up insisting they’re here to help. That tough guy back in the corner who thinks I don’t notice him made sure they were heard and seen by the attending staff.”
“There’s a lot going on right now,” Thomas answered. “I’m here. I want to be here. I do not stand by while the family of those who are dear to me suffer. I get in there, and I help and support as best I can.”
Lorena stared into the distant hallway for what seemed to be the longest time. He could see her trying to find the words to express her thoughts and emotions. He could also tell that she was picking what she said very carefully.
“This is a lot. You are doing a lot. You are doing too much,” she croaked. “These specialists you called in, you being right here instead of running your businesses, the anonymous benefactor picking up Dad’s bill, this is all too much.”
It was obvious that she was hoping that her tears would change his mind about everything. She didn’t want his help and was trying to cry her way out of it. Although Thomas didn’t understand why, considering she very clearlyneededhis help.
