the bright sunshine on a very clear and cold day. You warm
people’s souls. I’m feel lucky to be sitting with you right now.”
Vandross’s “Everyone Needs Someone To Love” began to play as if on cue. Nick leaned in toward Shelly and tenderly kissed her parting lips. She reciprocated, gently at first, followed by channeled passion. Her body and soul craved the touch, the love of a man. She had almost forgotten how good it felt. The chicken would have to wait.
*****
The next morning, FOX TV met Nick at St. Theresa’s. The interview was going live on Good Day Atlanta. In the meantime, SkyNews was setting up an interview with Shelly and Dr. Wall.
By nine thirty, the interviews had concluded, and Nick knew it was time to go to work and face the music. A one-on-one with his boss was imminent. He walked in, and there at the end of the hall waited the dreaded Bongero.
“My office, now!” he barked, loud enough for everyone to hear.
Intimidation was his strong suit.
Nick took a deep breath and walked into the den of doom, only to find Jerry already seated.
“Take a seat, Nick,” ordered Bongero. He sat behind his desk, where he gritted his teeth and flexed his knuckles.
“There’s only one reason I’m not going to fire you two over this
shit,” he snarled. “You know why?”
“Because we’re really good at what we do?” Jerry quipped.
Nick’s eyes grew wide.
“No! That’s not the reason, smartass. Over the past four days you haven’t done shit for this company, but if I fire your asses, the press will tear me apart for letting go the guys who are dangling three billion dollars in front of the world. I told you not to get us involved in this crap, and now we’re chest high in it. Hell, CNN wants to come here and do a piece on how we support St. Theresa’s.”
“That’s great!” said Jerry.
“No, that’s not great! We don’t support anyone who doesn’t make us money. Sound familiar? Yet the media thinks we do. So we’re gonna play this little game and hope this all goes away. I