“Valerio Esposito called. He found your nephew just in time and he's bringing him here now.”

      Joe, standing in front of the window, tied his robe closed after he took the last puff off of his cigar. “Good. Spray some perfume around here and get me a damned mint. I didn't even have to hide out like this when I was fourteen years old!”

      In the room with Joe was Doctor Vick, Carmine and the Vitiellos brothers, Joe's two trusted body guards.

      “I'm sorry, Joe, but we're forced to go ahead with the plan ahead of time. It all happened so fast and this was the first idea that came to mind. We had to step in before Ben went upstairs to the girl's place and did irreparable damage.” Joe snorted at Carmine's excuses.

      “Ya, ya, I just don't get why I have to play the part of the sick one. Why couldn't it have been that whacko, Johnny? He's the one who's gonna have a heart attack before me! All right, it's too late now to back out. Let's get on with the show. Did you find the hooker?”

      “We called Platy's brothel. Says Lola's with an important client. Some senator, but she'll do her best to get her here on time.”

      Grumbling like a grouchy bear, he climbed under the sheets, ready to play his part. “I hope so for her sake. Look what we have to do for family.”

      When Ben precipitated into his uncle's room, Lola was already present, standing off by herself, simulating worry and distress.

      “Uncle Joe, are you ok?” He delicately took Joe's hand and crouched down, touching heads with him.

      Joe's reproachful look hovered over the other men in the room as if to say: “look how I'm made to pay for the love of this dear boy”.

      He gave Ben a light pat on the back, an invitation to look at him. “I'm better now… a lot better, thank you.”

      Ben searched for the right words. Words that would scold, but not be too harsh. “I hope that this terrible attack has taught you not to overindulge. You're not twenty years old anymore and you have to learn to respect your body. It's important to take care of yourself, mostly when…”

      With a lost and resigned look on his face, Joe suddenly nodded, emphasizing his nephew's truth in silence, while he continued with an unending tirade.

      Ben knew his uncle very well, especially his adversity to hospitals. His long preamble was only the introduction to this heavy topic. “…obviously, every precaution would prove to be unsubstantiated by experts in the field…”

      He paused to evaluate his uncle's reaction, who seemed to either not understand what he was talking about, or that more likely he wouldn't give in without a fight.

      “…we think, and the doctor will confirm this, that you should have some tests done in a place that's a little more appropriate than this bedroom. If you want, tomorrow I can take you to the hospital for…”

      The forbidden word had been spoken, confirmed by the reaction of everyone's fear. “Forget it! I've already told you a million times. I will never set foot in one of those slaughterhouses, even if it means I die today in this bed!”

      “But Uncle Joe. Think about it. In the hospital they have everything available to treat you. You have to admit, nobody can do anything for you here. Why are you behaving like a child?”

      Ben was crestfallen by his uncle's unwavering stubbornness. But more than stubborn, Joe had an instinctive fear that if a healthy man is able to, he should choose to avoid places of sufferance.

      A female voice chimed in among the men, like the sun breaking through the clouds. “I, too, refused hospital care just like him; all that commotion and chaos! There is an alternative, you know. I have a doctor friend who has a private clinic. He would get all the attention he deserves, plus any extra services. Just like a home away from home.”

      Lola stepped into the center of the room, startling everyone. Her beauty, striking in itself, was enhanced by the head-turning evening attire she was wearing: a fiery red dress decorated with sequins, highlighted by a generous cleavage – maybe not a blessing from Mother Nature, but still quite hypnotizing. The vertiginous slit at the side of her dress offered a view of two very long and shapely legs, drawing attention to how the gown clung to her derriere. And last, but not least, they gazed contemplatively at the lovely features of her face.

      Her sea-blue eyes, shaped like a feline's, were lit up like two sapphires and set off by the lens of her delicate glasses. Framing her glowing and almost unnaturally radiant face, was her long, wavy golden blonde hair.

      Everyone gawked, each immersed in his own personal fantasy. Lola, perfectly aware of the reactions that she provoked, bestowed upon them with a dazzling smile.

      The first to recover from the shock was Doctor Vick, who already had the pleasure of her acquaintance… and services. “Lola! As impossible as it seems, we had almost forgotten you were here.”

      Ben was trying to get the words out, pointing back and forth to Lola and his Uncle Joe, frightened by the idea that this woman was the cause of his uncle's sudden illness.

      “Sorry it took me so long to arrive, but I couldn't get one of my annoying contact lens in, so I ended up wearing my glasses. How are you, Joe? Feeling better?”

      She sat on the edge of the bed and slyly focused all of the attention on herself, sensuously crossing her legs. “Yes, dear, thank you. I'd like to introduce you to my nephew, Ben. He's the joy and despair of my life. Ben, this lovely lady is Lola.”

      Ben stood up respectfully and extended his hand while Joe continued to act his part. “Lola belongs to a committee that takes care of orphaned children. I've promised her that I would give a generous donation. I'm so sorry about what's happened, here.”

      The explanation for the woman's presence calmed Ben's nerves considerably and filled him with pride for his uncle's philanthropy.

      Lola started laying the flattery on thick, demonstrating her exceptional acting abilities. “Oh, Joe! How can you even think of anything besides your own health at a time like this? See what a generous man he is? Always thinking of others first. People like you are unique and rare! That's exactly why I absolutely have to take care of you. From what I can tell, your nephew is as special as you are. Please! Try to find a compromise between his wants and desires and yours.”

      Then she stood and moved slowly toward Joe, looking lovingly into his eyes and taking his hand the way Ben had a few moments before. But this time, that same gesture had a different impact. “Joe, take my proposal into consideration. The clinic that I have in mind is truly exceptional! You'll see, and you won't regret it.”

      Lola's persuasive voice, accompanied by a mischievous glint in her eye, was unmistakable. The old man understood what she was really referring to before she even had the chance to delicately scratch the palm of his hand with her finger. He had to force himself to control his sudden state of excitement.

      “I think… I think that you all may be right. I let myself get carried away in all the panic without thinking about the consequences. Just so long as it's clear that I won't be treated like a dying man. That means for the entire time I'm in the clinic, no one comes to visit me. No one. Ever!”

      Esposito and Doctor Vick exchanged a fleeting look and had to turn around to stifle a guffaw. Only Ben in his blissful innocence, though a little concerned about his uncle's abrupt turnaround, felt relief that he would soon be safe under the doctors' watchful eyes.

      Lola composed herself and adopted a sweet and innocent air of chastity that was quite in contrast with her vixen-like demeanor. “I'll take him personally to my friend's clinic and make sure that he gets all the attention he deserves,” she said.

      Convincing Joe to comply with her kindness, Lola had certainly played