Rhenna

Sixty-Six

                    Nick

     

                     
           "Mom!" Nick called. He kicked off his shoes in the front hall then walked into the kitchen. "You home?"
The oven was on, and the table was set for dinner, but there was no sign of his mum.

"Mom!" He turned on his heel and sauntered down the hallway. He stopped infront of Yara's door and softly knocked. "Mum you in there?"

He heard the creak of her bed, but their was no answer. Biting down on his lip, he quietly opened the door and stepped in. The room was dark, but the slip of light from the hall illuminated his mother's curled up figure on the bed.

"Hay". He whispered. He took a few baby steps closer then stopped when he saw the way his mother's shoulders were shaking.

She was crying.

He hurried over to her side and crouched down so that they were face to face. "Mum?"

She sniffled, and gave him a weak smile. "Hay baby". Her voice was hoarse, and barely above a whisper. She reached out and gently trailed her hand through Nick's hair. "How was your day?"

"It was okey".

He had spent most the day Christmas shopping with Sam. It was the only chance he'd get to hang out with Sam before he left for home. So he took it.

But that didn't seem very important anymore.

His eyes landed on the paper that his mum was clutching to her chest. "What's that?"

She was quete for a moment.

With a soft sigh she hesitantly held out the paper, and Nick took it. He smoothed out all the wrinkles on his knee then read it.

He felt almost sick when he reached the end of the letter.

"They want us to pay for dad's surgery?" He asked in disbelief.

"They want him to pay for the surgery".

"But...."He glanced up at his mum who looked close to breaking down. "He doesn't have funds in his account".

She bit her lip and nodded.

"Doesn't the state, or city pay for this shit?"

"I have to contact the lawyer. Figure out what's going on".

This is bullshit!

"He shouldn't even be in there!" He exclaimed, getting to his feet. "He should be in a normal hospital, or...with us".

"I know baby-"

"He didn't do anything!" He gritted. He crossed his arms above his head and paced. "He's innocent".

It's all my fault!

He couldn't tell his mum that dad was in prison because of him. Because of a stupid mistake he made!

"Take a deep breath Nick". Yara tried to soothe him, but he couldn't... He couldn't calm down.

"This is alot of money mum". He turned to face her. "We don't have it."

What if they let him die?

He shook his head at the thought. They wouldn't let him die. If push came to shove they'd have to operate.

But how much pain would his dad be in until it got to that point? Would they at least give him medication?

"Maybe we can talk to your uncle". Yara proposed. But that there was false hope.

"How?!" He threw his hands out, "We don't fucking know where he is".

She brought her hand to her mouth, and shook her head. "I dont know...."

Nick wanted to console her. He wanted to be the man of the house. But he couldn't. Not while his father, the true man of the house, was rotting in prison for something he did.

"Fuck this". He crumbled up the piece of paper and tossed it.

It's bullshit!

He stalked out of the room, and grabbed his phone; which was sitting on the counter. With shaky fingers he dialed in the first number that came to mind. A friend's number.

After a moment of ringing the line went through. A voice came over the speaker. "What do you want Nick?"

"I need to talk".

There was a pause. "Okey".

"The club. Meet me in twenty".

-------------------------

"I guess it's only us then?"

Nick snapped out of his daze and glanced up. "Your late".

"By five minutes". Johny scoffed. He slid into the seat across from Nick.

The two stared at each other for a moment before Johny decided to break the silence. "So..." He tilted his head, "Why you calling me so late?"

It wasn't even that late. Nine at tops.

Nick thought about shrugging it off, and forgetting about what had just happened. Maybe him and Johny could enjoy a few shots. Get drunk. Have some fun like old times.

But he couldn't play it off.

He anxiously tapped the table, avoiding his friend's gaze when he spoke up next. "They wont operate on my dad".

"What?"

"He's got a tumor". He motioned to his side. "Near his liver".

"Why won't they-"

"Damn money issues". He practically spat. "They want my dad to pay."

Johny was about the only one, except his mum, that Nick ever talked to about his dad.

"What are you going to do?" Johny asked after a moment. His tone wasn't sympathetic, but it was the kindest Nick had ever heard him speak.

"I...."Nick shook his head, while he clamped the bridge of his nose. "I...I can pull off another heist. If it's big, and with all the money I have saved, I can pay for the surgery".

The money's original purpose was to bail his dad out of prison, but... "I'll start over again. I can get him the surgery then I'll just pull more jobs til I can get him out". He said this more to himself then anyone.

"We don't have any prepaired". Johny leaned over the table. "We need to think this-"

Nick shook his head. "Not We Johny. Me..okey."

He finally met his friend's gaze. "I know someone. A small group in my old town. They've been asking for my help". He paused, "I do this and my dad gets his surgery".

Johny's expression was blank, but Nick could see the gears turning in his friend's head.

"Your leaving then?"

Only for a little bit.

He nodded.