as'

on. I preferred them that way. They reminded me of boardrooms:

nst the beige room, the cuff of my Rolex catching the h

as clean. Ne

ow I l

r mother's vitals are stable. She's resting comfo

nod, barely l

nk y

spital's courtyard. It was drizzling - soft, persistent and unyielding. The same

try to this t

ention to the hallway. A flicker of

iltered

nurse at the front desk. Her voice wasn't loud but it vibrat

omething out. I just

owed m

e and worn jeans. Hair in a messy bun, cheeks flushed and eyes rimmed

could collapse all around her

belong in

nged in

was pulling herself together through sheer willpower.

t o

at second

fi

pitching their dreams from crumbled homes

ng through her pocket. She took out four crumpl

ano

I walked over to her,my foo

mooth and detached but low enoug

d up at me

,uh

pped it against the reader. The machine beepe

t -," sh

ndly but a bit icily. " You we

me, her lips p

ath - dry, exhausted. "Guess yo

"I've seen m

ne before I continued. "But hardly anyo

. Distrust as well. She gently removed her hands

ook like the type who hangs

admitted. "

"and what's that sup

oo proud to ask for help, but too loyal to walk

tched betwee

en

she introdu

eak. Well not e

her cute little introductio

no." I intr

for a moment, recogni

ucas M

in. "Depends o

as analyzing me which I oddly didn't mind too much. Then she spo

was the least a gentl

ame down the hall.She gave me one last look -

ment longer, my ex

it, letting the rain hit me for a bri

just befor

Ric

smile on my face. "You sure take

ar laughter b

no. What? Running empires too big

omething alon

orted before

neral? Heard your mom

stable

ey - LA next weeken

rst I need to sort ou

ak from Vegas. Too many pricks trying to buy m

ou never change d

it." he

hing in particular and not once did I mentio

way who struggled with the vending machine

er and I would make sure