So, while one child served time for a crime he didn’t commit, Maria Bianci’s other child busted her ass to maintain her scholarship.
Anthony was released a year or so ago, and despite my mother and his girl Adrianna’s pleas, he fell back into his old life. And me? Well, I gave up. Gave up on being a nurse, threw away the scholarship, and gave up on being the prodigal child…gave up on everything. I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life but I was sure that changing bedpans wasn’t for me. It was pretty silly to think the girl who hated the sight of blood was really contemplating becoming a nurse anyway. I gave up and kept that shit to myself. That’s right, my mom and brother think everything is just dandy. Good little Lauren is hitting the books, making the grades, on her way to becoming the first person in the Bianci family to graduate college and make something of herself.
Lies. Big fat lies.
I shoved my slutty outfit, albeit it earned me a lot of tips, into my duffel bag and finished dressing back into my sweats. I walked toward the sink and stared at the girl reflected in the mirror. Taking a deep breath, I removed my glasses and washed all the make-up from my face.
Society was bullshit. I wonder, if I served drinks at The Pink Pussycat without a stitch of make-up on and a turtleneck, if I’d make a dollar.
Probably not.
Probably wouldn’t even make enough to cover my cellphone bill let alone my rent.
I twisted my hair into a messy bun on top of my head and perched my glasses back on my nose. I was finally able to look like myself again, the good girl who just wanted to please everyone.
I slipped the strap of my bag over my shoulder and made my way back into the main room of the bar where everyone was getting ready to leave. I was hoping to catch a ride from Big Lou, the bouncer. My Toyota was out of commission and I didn’t have the money to fix it yet. It’s not even like it needed a lot of work but the brakes were shot and the tires were balled. Oh, and there was that little problem—it started whenever it felt like. See? Not much, easy job. A piece of cake…right?
“Hey Lou…” I started, but was interrupted by my phone ringing at the bottom of my bag.
“What are you still doing here?” Lou asked me, confusing me. Where the hell was I supposed to go?
I grabbed my phone and my eyes widened when I saw it was my mother calling. My stomach dropped as I accepted the call nervously. It’s never good news when the phone rings at four in the morning, and when your brother is a mobster? Well you get the point.
Please don’t let him be hurt.
Please don’t let him be in trouble.
“Mom?”
“Well, it’s about time! Thank you Saint Anthony,” she shouted into the phone, causing me to hold the phone away from my ear. “I’ve been calling you for almost two hours. Is that hooligan there? He didn’t embarrass you or cause you any trouble at the hospital did he? Let me know, and so help me God I will smack him silly.”
What in God’s name was she talking about?
“What hooligan? Mom slow down…my shift just ended.” I flinched as the lie came out of my mouth so easily.
“The biker boy!”
Yep, she’s lost it. Although, I will not lie, I wish there was truth to this little story—motorcycles are hot!
Trying to concentrate on the phone call and my surroundings, I could hear a commotion going on at the door, and Lou yelling at someone.
“You again?”
“Get the fuck out of my way Duncan! I’m in no fucking mood.”
Lou pushed the guy at the door back so I couldn’t see him but the intruder started hollering.
“LAUREN BIANCI IF YOUR ASS IS IN THERE YOU BETTER GET IT OUT BY THE TIME I COUNT TO FIVE!”
“What is that? Oh, my God, he’s not starting a scene in the hospital is he?”
“Mom, focus, who is he, exactly?”
“One of your brother’s friends. There was trouble tonight—”
“Is he okay?” I interrupted.
“Yes, he’s with Adrianna and the baby but he sent this dope to come and bring me to your apartment. Your brother wants us both in the same place until things calm down. Fucking Victor Pastore, I could kill that man with my bare hands!” My mother said, sounding exasperated. “You know your apartment is a mess? And Mia, is she on drugs? The girl hasn’t shut up since I got here.”
“ONE!”
“Do you know this clown?” Lou asked me over his shoulder.
“Mom, did you send this guy here?”
“I didn’t send him. Blame your damn brother, actually, blame Victor Pastore. It’s all that son of a bitch’s fault.”
“TWO!”
“Lau?” Lou persisted.
“I’ve got to go mom, see you in a few.” I said, quickly ending the call and hurrying to Lou’s side before he broke Anthony’s friend’s nose and there was bloodshed.
I wonder which of the dons he sent this time.
“It’s okay Lou, I didn’t know my brother was sending someone for me,” I answered, reaching up to kiss Lou’s cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“You sure you want to go anywhere with this guy?” He said, turning his attention to my ride, causing me to turn around and look at him too.