I froze, hoping I'd heard her wrong. "Sixteen thousand? Are you sure it's not sixteen hundred?"
"The ambulance ride alone was three grand. No, I'm sure about the zeroes. It's sixteen thousand."
I backed up blindly until the bench hit me on the back of my knees, then I plunked down hard. "Shit."
"Yeah, shit. I'm sorry. This was all my fault. I thought I was having a heart attack. It was so stupid of me."
"Nonna said the 'S'word," Jack said in the background.
"You're right, Jackie. That's not a nice word."
"Imbecile," Mom said quietly into the phone. "That's far more accurate, and it doesn't start with 'S'. I'll figure something out. Maybe I can get a loan at the bank. If only Misty had a spot for me at the fabric store. I'll find another job. I promise."
"Mom, your main job is taking care of Jack. That helps me immensely. I've got to finish closing up, then I'll be home. We can talk about it before I go to Tommy's."
"That's right. You work tonight. You work too much." Mom said the same thing often but I had no idea how to get out of my work schedule. As it was, we were barely making it.
"There are a few chocolate cupcakes left in the bakery case. Tell Jack I'm bringing home a treat. See you soon." I hung up, and my head dropped into my hands. The medical bill felt like the final blow, and this one was so big I saw no way out of it.
A knock on the front door swept me out of my dreary thoughts. The front door was locked, but I hadn't had a chance to flip the sign yet. I put away my phone and walked out to the front of the diner. Ronan was standing at the door. He had streaks of dirt on his face, and he was wearing a smile that temporarily lightened my mood.
I hurried to the door and opened it. "Excuse me, sir, but we're closed."
He glanced back behind him and pushed inside. "Yes, well, I didn't come here for the food." He pulled me into his arms and kissed me. He paused. "I ate a mint on the way over. Did it do the trick?"
"I wouldn't know. I'm so dizzy from the kiss I can't think straight." I wriggled my nose. "You do, however, smell less soap-y and a little more manly than usual. And I don't necessarily mean that in a sexy way."
Ronan released me, but I jumped back into his arms. "Not that I've ever minded the smell of a hardworking man." Wekissed again, but I cut it off before we started ripping each other's clothes off. "I can't. We can't," I reminded him.
"Well damn, there goes my fantasy of ravaging a beautiful woman in a cute diner uniform." He leaned back. "Maybe you should wear this on our next date." He reached for the hem of my uniform and lifted it. "You can skip the panties."
I laughed and pushed his hand away. "Should I wear the one with the bacon grease stains or the one where the ketchup bottle exploded and sprayed my sleeve?"
Ronan sighed. "Way to spoil a fantasy." He took hold of my hand. "There is something sad in those cocoa brown eyes. What's wrong?"
I cocked my head in surprise. "You could tell? I thought I was putting on a good poker face."
He reached over and pushed a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "Is it something I can help with?"
"Only if you happen to have an extra sixteen grand floating around."
Ronan patted his pocket enthusiastically. "Nope, left my big cash back home. Seriously? Sixteen grand?"
"Mom got her medical bill. She's got a lousy insurance policy. Our portion is sixteen grand."
"Holy smokes. You could buy a new car with that. Well, not a new one but a mildly used one. I'm so sorry, Ray. I'd help if I could. Let's go out for a burger tonight. Jack can come, too. My treat. That I can afford."
"I've got to work."
Ronan's shoulders dropped. "Damn. I really wanted to see you. You still never told me where you're working. If it's a restaurant maybe I could drop in?—"
I shook my head vigorously. "No!" I said it abruptly enough that he was taken aback. "Uh, my boss gets mad if my friends drop by." I wanted to make up for my curtness. I walked closerto him and touched his arm. "I'm working the next three nights, and I need the hours more than ever. I'll see you later in the week." My softer tone wasn't helping. He looked hurt. "I'm sorry, Ronan, but my life is really in a hole right now. You make me so happy, but?—"
Ronan gazed down at me. "But, I never like where 'buts' are going. Before you say anything else, Ray. I love being with you. I don't think I've ever said those words to anyone. Most people, I can take 'em or leave 'em, but you are something else. I'm here for whatever you need, even if it's just a hug or kiss or, well, you know. I'm here if you need me, but please don't push me out of your life because you're struggling. I know struggling well. Struggles is my middle name."
I pressed myself against him. I had no idea where I was going with my earlier comment, but I knew one thing for certain, I wanted this man in my life. I just wished my life were in better shape so I could enjoy the relationship more. "Thank you." I lifted my face, and he kissed me. I smiled. "So … Ronan Struggles Wilde?"
"Okay, my middle name is Joseph. I've got to get back to work." He kissed me once more. "I'm going to miss those lips tonight while you're at work at the …" He squinted an eye at me. "… at the county morgue?"