Chapter 11
MADDIE
Maybe I am overacting, but I couldn’t hold back the tears. I couldn’t let him see me cry because of my insecurities. The idea that I don’t hold up to Rocco’s expectations hurts me. I have imagined the women in his life, how beautiful they were, how confident they moved. I want so much more with him, but I know that is the first step. A man like Rocco Santoro lives differently than most. He’s not like other guys I have dated.
My thoughts are interrupted by a knock on my door. Rocco? I wipe my face and look in the mirror. With a grimace, I walk quickly to the door and open it, only to be surprised to see Nancy standing in my doorway.
“Nancy? I thought we were going to meet for drinks later? How did you get my address?”
“I sort of looked it up in Joanne’s computer. I’m sorry, don’t be mad,” she pleads, her hand stretch out to me. “I really need a friend right now. I know we didn’t start out on the right foot, but I was hoping I could just talk. Things are worse for me than I let on.”
As much as I don’t want to hear this, I step back and force a smile, opening my door further and inviting her in.
“Thank you so much. I sometimes feel so alone in this big city.” She sits on my couch and I join her, staying on the edge and at the other end. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything. You look like you’ve been crying.”
“Ah,” I say, waving my hand in the air. “I was watching some of those sappy videos online. They always get to me.”
“You have to tell me how things went with Rocco. Did you tell him how you feel?”
She seems so interested, like a friend should be. And yes, she is the reason I bit the bullet and went to see him. But I feel funny telling her about my personal life. I feel funny that she is even in my apartment. Funny? No, violated. I need time to comprehend her reasoning for her change of heart.
“I, um, I haven’t found the right opportunity yet.”
“Oh. That’s weird. Weren’t you with him tonight?”
“What? How did you know I was…”
“He lives around the corner from my favorite coffee shop. They have the best coffee in the city,” she admits. “I thought I saw you go in. That’s why I had to find out what happened.” Her excitement is too much. I get up and walk to the kitchen with so many questions in my head. I ask only one.
“Would you like some coffee?”
“No, thank you. I can’t stay long.”
“So we aren’t going for drinks later?”
“No,” she says, shaking her head.
I grab a water from the refrigerator and rejoin her. “Well, I was going to talk to Rocco, but he was getting ready to go out with some friends. I didn’t want to bother him with it until I had more time.”
Since when did I lie so much? I was hoping I was at least convincing.
“I definitely think you should go for it.” Her smile fades and what excitement she did have disappears from her face. She turns away and sniffles. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come here.”
“Well, you’re here now. If you need to talk, you can talk to me.”
“It’s my father. I’m so worried about him.”
“What’s wrong?”
“He’s in trouble with some really bad men.”
I start to wonder if I should have asked. But I listen intently, just the same.
“He has a bit of a gambling problem but always knew when to stop. I don’t understand what happened this time. He was invited to a private game in some guy’s basement, some friend of a friend. Stakes got high and he got in over his head.” She stops and looks at me. “Ya know, I think I’ll take that drink now. Anything with alcohol.”
I raise my eyebrows at the curtness of her request and got up from the couch to retrieve one of the three beers I have in my refrigerator. When I return to hand it to her, she continues her story.
“I went home to visit my parents last weekend and I overheard my mom talking on the phone. She is sick with worry. That’s why I took on a third job. I need to help him.”
“The restaurant is your third job?”
“Yes. I still don’t think it’s enough.” She starts to sob and my heart breaks for her.
“How did he let himself get so far in debt?”
“I don’t know. I try to be strong and give what I can, but it’s not enough.”
“Maybe if he talks to them…”
“He has. They want their money. If they don’t,” she swigs a few big swallows of her beer and sets it down on the stand. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come here. I didn’t mean to bother you with my problems.” She gets up and starts to leave but I can’t let her walk out.
“Nancy, wait. Please. Maybe I can help you work out something.”
“There isn’t really anything to work out. He needs to pay this by the end of the week. I can’t even begin to make a quarter what he needs. I’m going to quit my job tomorrow and go back to Minnesota. I was selfish to leave.”
I hesitate, then I reach up and touch her arm. “Let’s talk first. Come, sit.”
She wipes her tears from her face and walks back to the couch to sit.
“Keep your job.”
“Why?”
“You’ll need it to pay me back.”
“What?” Her face dropped. “You’re kidding, right?”
“No. I’ve been through hard times too. It’s nice to have someone in your corner. I want you to help your father.”
“You don’t have that kind of money. How can you.…”
“I have some savings built up. I can loan it to you, if you promise that you will repay me.”
“I… don’t know what to say.”
“I want to talk to your parents first, if that is okay. But I trust that you will do the right thing and make this right.”
“Oh, my God. I can’t believe this.” She lurches at, hugging me tightly, crying hysterically. “I will call my father tonight and set it all up. Thank you so much. I knew you were a good person. I’m just so sorry I tried to get you fired before. I was so wrong.”
“That is all behind us now. Let’s just get through this next hurdle. I’ll go to the bank in the morning. I can get you fifty thousand.” I watch her face as her smile dissipates.
“Fifty thousand?” she repeats, troubled.
“It’s almost all that I have. Nancy? What’s wrong?”
“It’s not enough. It’s not even close!” She stands up and looks around, confused and bewildered.
“How much does he need?”
“Two,” she says, barely audible.
“Two-hundred-thousand dollars?!”
“I’m sorry.” She covers her mouth and runs out before I can stop her.