Beyond The Smoke

Chpt. 7 First Call

"We had a few complications, but are proud to say the procedure was successful. You will be able to see him, but he will not awake until sometime tomorrow I'm sure." the nurse gave us the news and left us to our joy. I was relieved, he was ok.

"Wait-" I didn't listen as Ally called after me. I ran to the room I was told he would be in as fast as my legs would carry me. Knocking on the door twice, I entered slowly to see my little brother laying pale on the hospital bed, wires connected to both arms and an oxygen mask to his mouth. Pulling a chair to the bed, I smiled. He had a bit of hair shaved from one spot, where I'm sure the bleed was found. I wouldn't care if they shaved his whole head, I'm just glad he's ok. I have no clue what I'd do if he didn't make it.

It wasn't too long until the others had caught up to me, entering the room.

"I told you to wait, dammit." Ally came up by me, smacking the back if my head jokingly, with a sense of anger none the less. "When I say something, you listen." I chuckled in response.

"Well, they didn't shave off too much hair." Ron said, filling the silence.

"I know, but it's still quite a bit, pretty obvious too. I'll buy him a beanie or something to wear, also keep that wound from the f.ucking blizzard outside." Jesse looked at me, a sympathetic expression invading his features. He was about to say something it seemed, but Ally sent a murderous glare.

"Alright woman! If you don't quit, I'm gonna need brain surgery too." All but Ally found his attempt in reasoning with her amusing. She simply crossed her arms over her chest, completely unimpressed.

"You're a dumbass."

"And you still married me! What does that say about you?" Her glare intensified, she looked as if she was about to rip his head off. The woman even terrified me.

"Ok, ok. Ally, you can kill him later." Her glare faltered, and she let him off without another word. We sat in silence for the remainder of the night, up until the end of visiting hours. They were kicked out, but I was adamantly kept my spot, refusing to leave. And so, Mike would awake the next day with my head on his torso, I had fallen asleep by his side.

----

I awoke to the sound of the obnoxious ringing of my phone. Lazily, I picked it up and lifted it to my ear.

"Hello?" My groggy voice sounded to the person on the other line. It had been about a week since mikes surgery, and I had brought him home really late last night. He was doing so much better, so I thankful.

"I need to speak with a...Mr. Rusak?" A woman said.

"This is he."

"I am Shelly Anderson of Henry Ford Hospital. I'm calling on regard of the brain surgery that was preformed upon the child in your care." My face contorted into one of confusion. Why would they be calling?

"And...?"

"I'm calling about the bill. The surgery itself had quite a cost to it, but the complications raised the price. It is, obviously, policy for us to allow about a week to you before giving the price." Her tone wasn't half as professional as it had been before. It clicked in my mind, of course. The bill. How could I have forgotten, this sh.it isn't free! Dammit.

"Oh crap...what's the price...?"

"$38,920 will be the final cost, seeing as you lack the help of insurance." My blood ran cold, face paling for sure. How am I supposed to pay off that much? It's hard enough for me to keep us on a daily meal, or even buy Mike a simple beanie, let alone pay off $38,920. Oh f.uck, what the hell am I going to do?!

"Uh...alright..." We continued on with our conversation, her giving me the details on the payment and such. By the time we were finished, about fifteen minutes had passed. Looking at the clock, it was nine. Damn, it's too early to drop that on me. What the hell? I plopped back into my makeshift bed, not knowing the right way to react to this. I couldn't go to the government for help, I'm in the drug dealing business. They would bust me, and then take Mike from me.

Mike.

With that thought, I turned to look at the young boy lying limp on the mat, sleeping peacefully. He was the whole reason for any of this, he was all I truthfully had. I knew it, I knew I would do absolutely anything for that kid. One thing though, I would not let them take him from me, but I need to find some way to get out of this mess.

----

"What do you want, boys?" Ally asked, readying herself to prepare lunch for us. I had nothing to do today, which was odd. The silence was odd. I didn't have work, saying it was the weekend, but no one called from the docks or anything at all.

"Tacos? Can you make tacos?!" Mike asked excitedly. "Oh god I want tacos!"

"Yeah, I can. That ok with you guys?" She gestured to Jesse, Ron and I. They all made a sound of approval, but I was silent. Ally gave me a worried look, but said nothing about it. I had told her about the situation a while ago. She just said everything will be fine, but I doubt that. I doubt it. Why? Because since when is anything ever fine in my life. Any good, and something bad has to trump it. Anything bad, and something worse is sure to follow.

"Luke, you ok?" Mike asked, picking up on my mood. I couldn't tell him this, I don't want him to feel like a burden.

"Yeah, just a little tired." He looked at me skeptically, not buying my excuses.

"Well, when I woke up at the hospital, your shade was poking me. That was annoying. I'm glade you shaved." He laughed, causing me to do the same.

"It was only a little bit of shade, calm your tits."

"I ain't no female!" He snapped his fingers in a 'z' shape. I swear, sometimes I think he's gay.

"You keep telling yourself that-" my phone rang, cutting me off. I groaned, thinking it would be a job of some sort.

"Rusak speaking." I grumbled, my good mood fading. And by what I heard next, it was right to.

"Hello, Rusak. I've heard about the little problem you've got. Big money to pay, yes?" How the fuck? I walked out of the apartment to speak.

"What do you mean?" I snapped.

"I'm going to help you out here. Don't be a b.itch. So, if you are interested, we can meet and I will offer my deal. You decline, your problem. But I do believe this would be your last option. So, I will text you the time and place we will meet, and you show." The line went dead before I could speak. Not a minute later, my phone buzzed with, receiving the address, the time coming short after.

'The main club at 10:30. -Zed'

I left the frosty weather, entering the apartment again.

"Hey food's ready- you ok?" Jesse asked. The others were already eating at the table, and I sighed.

"Yeah...I'm good...it's just, you see. I have this one option that might help pay off the surgery bill..." I trailed.

"And? What is it?"

"I don't want to go into detail about it...but I don't have any other option, do I?" He thought for a moment.

"Not that I can think of...but hey! It can't be any worse than the docking and sh.it you've been doing. I'd consider it- now come on before food is cold." He jogged towards the table, seating himself by Ally.

And so, with no other options, I made my decision.

I would meet him ten thirty tonight.

---------------------------------------------------A/N: ARENT YOU GUYS EXCITED TO SEE WHAT IT IS?

Just think...what could the 'offer' be?...

Any thoughts?

Hah! Oh one more thing before I end this note, do y'all think my chapters are too long or too short? Because I can never really tell how long one should be. Please give me your thoughts on that.

Comment, vote, whatever ya like.

-H4lt