Never Let You Go by Desmond Haas Read Free Book Online Page B

Later that afternoon, tired of walking, I was ready to go back to my flat, but wanted to visit Sam’s favorite place and tell Carlo what had happened. I took a taxi to Fino’s.
    Just like the time I walked in with Sam, Carlo loomed a few feet away, greeting early diners. He looked in my direction. When he saw my face, he walked over, took me in his arms, and I collapsed in tears.
    When I collected myself, Carlo took me back to his office, signaling to his staff where they could find him. Inside, I dabbed my eyes and apologized.
    “You have nothing to apologize for. Did something happen between you and Sam?”
    “No, not between us. Sam has been in an accident and has a spinal cord injury and some burns. His mother called me last night after getting back from hospital, and after I awoke this morning, I couldn’t stay in my flat any longer. I’ve been walking around London all day, worrying about him.
    “What do you want to do?” he asked me.
    “I want to see him. I need to be with him.”
    “Are you going to go to the States, to the hospital?”
    “I can’t. I have a job, a flat, and I can’t afford to go.”
    “Mia Bella, You should be with him and he with you. Go to him. Take care of him.”
    “Carlo? Didn’t you hear what I said? I can’t afford to go to him.”
    “Shh. Shh. Please sit here and have a glass of wine. Do you want something to eat?”
    “No, I can’t eat.”
    “Sit and relax. My staff will bring you something to drink, and I’ll be back in ten minutes.”
    I sat, but between bouts of tears, I wanted to leave, go back to my flat, climb under the covers, and sleep. Finally, after not being able to sit any longer, I got up to go to the door, but before I touched the handle, it opened, and Carlo came in.
    “Sit. Sit. You need to relax for a few minutes.”
    “I’m okay. I just want to go home.”
    “You don’t have time for that. In twenty minutes my car will be here, and I’ve instructed my driver to take you home to pack. Then, he will drive you to Heathrow, where you’ll get on a KLM flight to Orlando to be with Sam. Do you have anyone in Orlando to pick you up?”
    “I can’t afford that.”
    “There is nothing to afford. It is done. You need to be with Sam and I am going to make it happen. It’s the least I can do for one of my favorite customers,” Carlo said with a smile.
    I got to my feet and gave Carlo a hug. “I don’t know what to say, but thank you.”
    “You need to take care of him, and to do that, you need to be at his side. Do you have any transport once you get there?”
    “I can call Sam’s mother to pick me up, and I’ll either stay with her or in Sam’s apartment.”
    “Good. Are you sure you won’t have anything to eat?”
    “No, I don’t think I could hold it down.”
    Carlo sat with me until the car arrived. Again he brought me to his massive chest with a hug, strong enough to let me know I’d be okay. Exhaustion hit me during the ride to my flat, and I fell asleep, knowing I would soon be with Sam.
    Linda met me at my flat, and I told her what Carlo had done, how he arranged the car and the flight to Florida.
    “Come on, move your arse,” Linda said. “We have to pack. There are only a few hours until your plane.”
    Linda helped me, but mostly we just threw things into a couple of duffle bags. Done packing, I sent an email to David, telling him what had happened and what I was doing. I called Judith.
    “I’m sorry to wake you. Is there any further news?
    “He’s the same, but at least he isn’t worse,” she said, her voice hoarse from sleep.
    “I have tickets for a flight out of Heathrow in a few hours. Can you pick me up and take me to him?”
    “Oh, yes! Tell me your flight information, and I’ll be there. Of course, you’ll stay with me, so don’t make any other plans.”

By His Side
     
    With the anxiety and lack of sleep the night before, exhaustion overwhelmed me. I got a few hours sleep on the two flights. Arriving in