“Good guess, but there is something you can do,” he said. “You can ask for the funds next month at the convention. Robert said he’s throwing out Robert’s Rules for this one and giving you the opening time slot.”
“Really? The opening time slot?”
Sal grabbed the basket of bread and passed it to Nick.
“Remember that army we talked about that wants to stop cancer?” “Yeah?”
“Well, it’s getting bigger.”
*****
By Monday, things progressed as planned. The Board of Directors gave its approval to the billion-dollar idea after voicing the same concerns brought up by Dr. Wall. They mandated that nothing could move forward without the hospital’s executive team, and made it clear to Nick and Jerry that nothing could be done to embarrass the hospital or exploit the children.
Nick and Jerry were on their game and put on a dog and pony show that even Bongero would have enjoyed. Nick was beginning to act as if he had been chosen to take on this role by divine intervention. He remained sharp and calm when speaking on this topic. His calmness seemed to be rubbing off on Jerry, who admittedly did not feel the same chosen sensation as Nick. Nick was a changed person. Oddly, he owed it all to a disease that killed his brother and mother and introduced him to a woman unlike any he had met before.
After shaking hands with St. Theresa’s dozen or so Board members, Nick and Jerry floated out of the boardroom, making their way to the public relations office next door. Marie Mellon, the hospital’s executive director, had asked them to wait there. This was their last stop before heading to Las Vegas to see if, in fact, Sal was right and a billion dollars could be their gift for the upcoming holiday season.
“Hi, guys.” Marie startled Nick by suddenly appearing from around a cubicle wall to the left of the receptionist. She reached out and shook hands with him and Jerry, then motion for them to sit down.
“I must say, that’s a great idea you guys have,” she said.