Falling - Benny and Nina - An Adapted In The Heights Roleplay (COMPLETE)

51 - Falling Payment

As soon as he was out the door he ran outside. He needed fresh air. As he ran he pulled his phone out his pocket and called Usnavi.

"Hey, how's Nina? She alright?" Usnavi asked worriedly.

"Nina's fine. Really bad Ulna fracture apparently. She's getting a cast on it as we speak but there's a chance it may not fully heal it, so she may have to have surgery on it in a months time."

"Oh my," he said. "But how are you doing? Are you alright, after all of that?"

"Slightly stressed. It's a lot of money and currently we can't actually afford the treatment. The cost is $500 and is to rise to $700 should she need the surgery. I'm not sure how I'm going to pay for it, that's why I called you, could you do a massive favor for me? And for Nina."

"And what would that be?"

"Firstly, I assume you still have a spare room. Like when I was at yours years ago, you had your room, Sonny had his and I used the spare. It hasn't been converted into some other room has it?"

"Nope, still there. Come to think of it, I haven't really touched it since you moved out."

"Okay perfect, that was my last resort back up plan. Obviously, I'm currently without anything due to being fired. So, I have no income at the moment, I can pay this month's rent but that's it. As Nina now has nothing as she spent all her earnings on my hospital treatment, I feel like it's only fair that I find a way to pay for hers. We currently have $100 left over from mine but that's all. So, I have a few different options." Benny paused for a few moments to take a breath.

"Okay then, let's hear them."

"First one is could I borrow some money that I can pay you back once I have found a job and am getting enough to keep up with rent and money for survival. My second option is leave my apartment and get back my $400 deposit. That will cover the cost of the treatment, unless she needs surgery. But then I'd have nowhere to live. So, I was hoping if I had to use this option I could bunk in with you again, obviously once I get an income enough to get a new apartment, I would. And I'd be able to pay you small amounts for the usual bills. I completely get if neither is possible, but they are my only options. I don't particularly want to leave my apartment, it provides a space for Nina and I to have time to ourselves, but if it's what needs to be done for her to be treated, so be it. What do you say?"

"I'd say the second option. It won't cause as much of a hassle, plus I won't even make you pay the bills. As long as you don't end up destroying the house, I'll let you stay for free. I don't want to cause you a hassle, and it's no problem if you bunk with me. Just tell me when you'll move in and I can help. We'll let things play out from there."

"Would you be okay with Nina staying as well. She's trying to stay away from Kevin as much as possible as he's really affecting her emotionally and mentally and being brutally honest, physically as well now. She's been with me each night since she's been back apart from when I was in hospital."

"Of course. She's practically my sister, I couldn't say no to her, ever."

"You're the best Usnavi. I probably ought to head back in, she should be done in a bit. We'll come straight over to bodega as soon as we're back."

"Alright, I'll see you."

"Thanks mate, bye." He hung up and ran back inside the building towards the room. He sat down in the waiting room, feeling thankful for having the best friend in the world. He texted his landlord saying that he needed to meet him later that evening. Then started looking for job advertisements in the local area. A few minutes later the doctor came out telling him that he could go in. Benny slowly opened the door and made his way in.