Trey

10

"Mother," Theo says softly fighting the tears. He doesn't want his mother thinking that he's crying. She'll want to know why. This is going to be hard enough without lying straight up to his mother. She always knows when her kids are bullshitting her.

"Theo, thank goodness. Where are you? What happened?" Theo's mother demands. Alexa gives him a warning look but Theo has no intentions of ruining the chances of his mother getting more help than he'd ever be able to give her.

"I'm sorry, I got a new job and I didn't have a chance to tell you anything. I've been in a very remote location and there is no phone service there. I'll be sending some money to you soon to help out. I need you to do something, my new employer has pulled some strings and Dr. Francossi, a top oncologist will look over your medical records and is willing to take you on as a patient. I need you to email your information to him. Get a pen and paper and I'll give you the email address." Theo does his best to head off the questions his mother is going to want answered. The phone is on speaker so that they are all able to hear the conversation.

"Okay, I have paper and something to write with." The voice of Theo's mother is now giving some excitement and hope. She knows that something is wrong, but she needs this help. She's not ready to die yet. She has four other children still at home that need her help and she knows that Theo still needs her too.

Theo gives her the information. "I'll call again as soon as I can. I'll try to do my best to come visit soon. It's just hard to plan ahead and make the arrangements." Theo looks at Alexa and Trey with a bit of fear although he keeps that out of his voice. He doesn't want them to get angry with him for saying that.

He lets out a silent sigh of relief when he sees Alexa give him a nod.

"Please, try to call more often Theo. The others will be upset that they didn't get to speak to you. We've all missed you terribly."

"I know mom. I'll do my best to call as often as possible. Tell the others that I love them. If you filed a police report make sure that you let them know that I'm good."

"I will. Don't disappear like that again, Theo, I've been worried sick."

Theo wipes his tears away. "I know, mom, I'm more sorry than I can ever say. When I call back next time I'll need a bank account number that I can transfer my money to you."

Theo sees that just before he finishes the call. Alexa had written that on the paper that holds the doctor's email. He looks up at Alexa. He is reassured by her nod. "I have to go now, mom. I love you. Get some sleep and send those medical records in as soon as you can tomorrow. The sooner he gets them the sooner he can help you."

"But how are you going to pay for it?"

"Don't worry about it, mom. I made a deal with my new employer. It's not something you will need to worry about. The others won't need to be worried about it either. I swear, I'll take care of you all. I don't want you to worry about anything other than getting better."

They can all hear her sobs and it's some time before she is able to get her sobs under control. "Okay, Theo. I'll do my best. I love you."

"I love you too, mom. Goodbye." Theo hangs up the phone and hands it back to Alexa.

"Thank you mistress. I'll do whatever you want as long as my family is taken care of." Theo pledges to her.

"I take care of my people, Theo." Alexa tells him and pulls him to her to give him a hug.

"Chance, what and how did you learn about the mafias?" Trey says in the newly fallen silence. Theo's sobs the only sound heard.

"Wrong place at the wrong time. I had friends that were part of a gang, they admired you, you could say that you were their idol. A rival gang opened fire on them and killed straight up most of the gang. Since I wasn't a part of the gang they decided to sell me.