Lights, Cameras, Outsiders!

Chapter 38

LCO 38

I shuffled the bills around on our bed, highlighting all the total amounts and then slammed my head in my hands. By the time I had all my tests done and all my procedures done, I would owe tens of thousands of dollars. I started to shake and began to cry. Just when I thought everything would be okay again, it wasn't. Expensive surgeries and blood tests cost thousands of dollars. I cried as I looked through each bill and tallied it up.

"Essie! It's Cruise!" I heard a knock on the door. I got up and let him in.

"We're all gonna grab some piz- what's wrong?" He noticed my tear-stained cheeks.

"What's going on?" I heard Matt say. Crap. I wiped my face quickly with the rear of my palms.

"What's the matter, Essie?" Cruise said. I backed up and let him in, but Matt appeared in the doorway.

"What's g- hey, Essie, what's the matter?" He said, walking inside. I closed the door behind him and sat on the bed.

"The bills are piling up," I said.

"Essie, I already told you not to worry about it. I gave you that check yesterday so you wouldn't have to worry about it," Matt said.

"Yeah and I called my parents this morning and they want to help out. Come on, Essie, Shake it off, let's go," Cruise said.

"Thank you but I have more bills that I need to individually pay."

"This job pays you. Now come on, we're gonna get some pizza."

"But-" Matt sat on the bed and wrapped his arm around me.

"Come on. This is hard but we're here to help you," he said, rubbing my back in circles.

"You really think we'd let you do this alone?" Cruise said. I dug my head in Matt's shoulder and Cruise grabbed my hand.

"Look, sweetie, we love you each in a different way. So don't think we're not going to be there. We'll help you find a stable job," Matt said kissing the top of my head.

"It's just three months ago if this had happened, I don't think I would've had any support," I said.

"Well, it's three months later than then, so you have us. Tommy, Ralph, Rob, Patrick, and Emilio and me and Matt. We can't say this enough but we love you, okay, darlin'?"

"Yeah," he squeezed my hand.

"I'll leave you two alone. You'll come get pizza?"

"Sure," Cruise kissed my cheek and walked out.

"Matt, just look at these bills," I said, handing him one. His eyes widened but he threw it on the floor.

"Baby, God, how many times have I said this? Don't worry."

"But I'm not letting you pay all my medical bills and I need a job and I'm going to be-" he leaned down and kissed me.

"Shut up and come get pizza."