Anger Management [Meloghia]

Chapter 38: Evaluation

Dreamless sleep was a blessing. Isabella had never been so thankful for a nap in her life. She sat up and found her throat unbearably dry. When was the last time she'd had water? She carefully stood up. Her body felt light, the way it does after days of being bedridden. She'd barely eaten and the last thing she had managed to get, she purged from her system not long after a session with Angela. She walked out into the hallway. The light seemed softer as it streamed in from the balcony than she'd remembered. How long had she been asleep?

She looked over the railing and saw no one downstairs. The house was quiet. Well, she remembered where the kitchen was so she headed down the stairs. As she walked in, she saw Risotto sitting alone at the table with a mug in hand. He wasn't wearing his hat, but he was wearing a shirt now unlike yesterday. His unearthly eyes met hers.

"Good morning," he said. Morning? Had she really slept through to the next day?

"Good morning. What time is it?" she asked as she walked over to the table.

"Just after six." He took a sip of what smelled like coffee.

"Wow. I don't think I've ever slept that long." She sat down at the table across from him.

"There's coffee in the pot with cups in the cabinet above. Help yourself," Risotto said as he stared at her.

"Actually, some water would be great." She stood back up and walked over to grab a cup. She filled and drained it three times from the tap before she filled it again and walked back to her seat. Risotto was still just watching her. She shifted uncomfortably under his unwavering stare. "It's been a while since I've had anything to drink."

"I have a request, but I won't ask it of you until you are better acclimated," Risotto stated. She perked up a bit at this.

"What is it?"

Risotto folded his hands before his chin as if in contemplation. "I would like you to evaluate one of my men, Gelato." She recalled the blond man lying with Sorbet yesterday on the couch.

"Yes, Ghiaccio mentioned him yesterday. I was told he tried to take his own life the other day?" she asked, looking to Risotto for clarification. Risotto nodded.

"I'm concerned about his mental state. He appears to be rapidly deteriorating. This matter concerns the rest of my men as well. We are a team and we work together closely. It affects all of us, but none more than Sorbet."

She nodded and met his gaze. Though he seemed intimidating, there was certainly a somber aura to the head assassin. She confidently said, "I can imagine. Honestly, if it's alright with you, I would like to speak with him today."

"Are you certain? I don't want to put any more undue strain on you than we already have." Risotto lowered his hands onto the table as he spoke.

"First and foremost, it sounds like he is in a particularly volatile state right now. I wouldn't want to wait any longer as it may exacerbate things." She took a deep breath before saying what was really on her mind. "Secondly, it would probably be better, for me as well, to get back to work and focus on something other than myself right now. It would be a welcome distraction. However," she paused as she swallowed more water, needing that moment to decide how she would tell this man of her hesitancy. She sighed. "I may need to postpone my sessions with Melone for a time. Angela used him against me in a way that makes me uncomfortable working with him one on one right now." She shifted uncomfortably again as she tried not to think about it.

"I see," was all Risotto said. His tone was even and low. She couldn't be sure what he may have been thinking in response to her words.

She continued, "I do plan to resume working with him but, at this time, I cannot be impartial as his therapist. Frankly, I find it difficult to be in the same room with him."