Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 64851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
How many times had I heard that before? More times I could count.
“Maybe you should have thought of that before you got involved with whomever you’re in trouble.” I turned to face him. “But just for shits and giggles, how much money do you owe this time?”
He ran his fingers through his hair in a frustrated gesture. “50.”
“50 dollars? You couldn’t scrounge up 50 dollars on your own?”
He shook his head. “No, Sis, 50 grand.”
I was so over his lies and everything he put me through over the years. Because I wanted to believe him, I’d give in him every single time, and he’d get what he wanted. Only for me to see him spiral even further. “50 grand? So, the money you already stole from me wasn’t enough? As I already told you, I’m all tapped out. And to be quite honest, Adam, even if I had that money to give to you, I find it hard to believe that you won’t end up smoking or snorting it away.”
His knee bounced up and down in a rapid motion as he began to tap his foot against the floor, a sign that he was really nervous about something. Maybe he really was serious this time because usually when he lied, it was with a straight face. He was definitely agitated about something. “They said they’d hurt me if I didn’t get them the money… They’re serious sis. These people don’t play.”
Before I realize what he was doing, he stood up and lifted his shirt to reveal a large jagged scar that went from his left nipple to his navel. The wound looked fresh and poorly stitched as if he’d gone to some back-alley doctor to get patched up.
I gasped in horror. “What have you done?”
Chapter Two
Nick
“I don’t know what I’m going to do all alone in this big house. With Kenny gone…. Well, I mean you have visited me as much as you’ve been able to considering you have that big important job that seems to occupy you so much, but I was hoping you’d make more time for your mother.” A sniff on the other end of the line was followed by another and then concluded with a broken sob.
I pinched the bridge of my nose to relieve the building tension that was threatening to morph into a full-blown headache. There was no one I knew who could lay a guilt trip quite like my mother. She might not have been the inventor of it, but the masterful way she wielded her sword and shield of shame could make even the most remorseless of creatures crumble to their knees.
It was something I had thought I’d built an immunity to over the years, but hearing her voice so heavy with grief made me few like a little boy again who was caught with his hand in the cookie jar before dinner.
“Nicholas, are you listening to me?”
“Yes, Mom. My apologies. I guess I have a lot on my plate right now.”
I was greeted with another sniff. “I understand. You have a life of your own, so I can’t expect for you to spend you every waking minute with your mother. I just worry about you is all. Now that you’re the only one I have. First your sister, and now my sweet precious Kenny.” Sniff. “I suppose I shouldn’t expect so much and just be grateful for whatever time you have to spare for me. Just come visit me when you can.”
And there it was, that punch to the gut that made me feel like a less than adequate son and human being for that matter. I could have pointed out that I had visited her three times this week alone, much more then I used to. If my brother were still alive, I would have, but I recognized the pain she might be in because it mirrored my own. Besides, I told myself had I been around more often before, perhaps there was something I could have done, and my brother would still be alive. I released a heavy sigh. “Mom, I’ll move some things around in my schedule and come for dinner tonight, how’s that? I can get takeout from the sushi place you enjoy so much, and you don’t have to cook.”
Sniff. “I don’t want to put you out. I know how busy you are and how important you are to your company, so you don’t have to worry about me. I’m sure I can find something to do to occupy my time. Maybe I’ll look through old photographs of when you were all children and we were together…before your father walked out on all of us and your sister…well enough about that. I’m sure I’ll see you when you’re able.”
I released a heavy sigh. “Mom, I’ll stop by tonight, okay.”