Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 73042 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73042 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
“It just means…” I take a slow breath in. “During the last few years I haven’t been in a position to really date.”
“Okay…”
“It’s really something I’d rather talk to you about in person.”
“Let’s get together then,” CJ says. “I’m a nanny to these rich people in this gorgeous suburb. You can come over anytime, because no one’s here during the day except me. The kids are in private school, and of course it’s my job to take them and pick them up, but the lady of the house is always off doing something. She doesn’t work, but she keeps a full schedule. Whether it’s a meeting of the Junior League or meeting of the board of something or other from the back-ass of nowhere, you know.”
I chuckle at that. “Sounds like a dream job. But…I don’t think I can get away. Maybe you could come here?”
“I’m off on Sundays,” she says. “I suppose I could. But you know, Ray, it would be much easier if you came to me.”
I don’t want to tell her about my cancer over the phone, and if I tell her I’m not clear to drive, she’ll have questions.
“Oh, come on, Ceej. We can walk through our old stomping grounds. This Sunday?”
“All right, Raven. This Sunday. I just need your address.”
“I’m actually staying with my parents right now. My place is being…redecorated.”
I hate the lie, but again, I don’t want to talk cancer over the phone. When she sees me at the front door with a nearly bald head, she’ll realize the truth.
Is it rude of me to not tell her? To surprise her with my bald head?
Well, that’s how it’s going to be. “Sunday. Come on over around noon. You know my mom always makes a huge lunch on Sundays. It will be great to see you.”
“Sounds great, Raven. I’ll see you then. And this time, we’re not losing touch.”
“Absolutely. I can’t wait to see you. We’ve got a lot of catching up to do.”
As soon as I end the call, I get another call from a number I don’t recognize.
“Hello?”
“Is this Raven?”
“The one and only.”
“This is Brick Latham. I’m an attorney in Austin. I assume you got my email?”
“Oh, Mr. Latham. Yes. I emailed you back but maybe you haven’t gotten it yet. Thank you for getting back to me so quickly.”
He chuckles. “When Austin Bellamy talks, our law firm listens. I understand you want to talk about starting a nonprofit.”
“I do.”
“You came to the right place. I’ve set up many nonprofits here in the state of Texas. I’m definitely your man. We should get together to discuss everything. I can tell you what you’ll need so that we can get you incorporated as a nonprofit with the state, and then we’ll have to talk about funding and all the other details.”
“To be honest, Mr. Latham—”
“Brick, please.”
“Okay. Brick. I honestly haven’t given the details a whole lot of thought. It’s just… I need a project, and this is something that’s near and dear to my heart. You probably know that I’m recovering from cancer myself.”
“Yes, my partner who referred me did tell me that. And let me tell you that I’m very glad that your prognosis is good.”
“Thank you. So am I.” I laugh nervously.
“If you can come to the office, I can go through everything with you. We can discuss your idea, and I can help you come up with a business plan.”
I sigh.
“Everything okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine. It’s just that I haven’t been cleared to drive yet. I probably won’t be for another week or two, according to my physicians. Don’t get me wrong. I feel fine. And I’m sure I could drive but—”
“That’s not a problem. You listen to your doctors. I can come to you. You name the time and place.”
“Great. How about tomorrow? My parents’ house.”
“Let me just check my calendar.” The tapping of his computer keys echoes through the phone. “Looks like I’m available tomorrow morning around ten a.m. Will that work for you?”
“Gee, let me check my calendar…” I let out another nervous chuckle.
“I see. Tomorrow at ten it is then. I look forward to meeting you.”
“Me too. Thanks again.”
I’m parched after two phone calls. My throat’s still a little sore from the virus I just recovered from, so I head down to the kitchen to grab an Orange Crush, my favorite soft drink.
Just as I’m entering, though, I hear my brothers talking.
Again.
“There’s one person who may be able to help us,” Falcon is saying.
“Who?” From Hawk.
Falcon pauses a moment. “Savannah’s brother. Vincent Gallo.”
6
VINNIE
Seventeen Years Earlier…
Most guys look forward to their eighteenth birthday.
Being an adult offers new freedoms, new opportunities, a taste of what life is really like beyond the walls of high school and adolescent constraints. But for me, it was more than just a mere transition into adulthood. On my eighteenth birthday, I met with my father and my grandfather to find out what would be expected of me in our “famiglia.” We don’t use that word anymore. It’s simply “family,” but I know the origins. I know what it means.