"Matthew, I'm so sorry your father is ill. Don't be ashamed of not having things or being able to give them. Your heart is what I want, and what you're doing for your father is the most precious, selfless act, ever."
"Chloe, my embarrassment isn't because of the things we lack or from being so far in the hole. It's because of his smoking. He has emphysema and smokes like a chimney, but the stress he feels over the situation it's put me in makes him smoke even more. If you ask him, he'll tell you he's ready to die. But I'm not going to let that happen. Yes, it angers me to see him so sick with a cigarette in his mouth. I wanted more out of life while growing up, but it is what it is, right?"
"Things will work out, Matthew. I…can help you." Chloe knew it was time to tell the truth.
"No. It's not your debt, and I wouldn't accept it."
"But, sweetheart, there doesn't have to be any debt. I can take—"
"No! I won't budge on this!" Matthew got up and went to the door. "I'm sorry. I think I just need some sleep tonight. Good luck tomorrow on your first day of work. Don't take this personally, Chloe. I love you, but my mind is a jumbled mess." He quietly closed the door behind him.
Chloe sat out on the balcony in the dark. The box of tissues was almost gone, and her heart was aching. She didn't know what to do. Picking up her phone, she called the only person she reached out to in times like this.
"Becky…"
"Honey, what's wrong with you? Are you hurt?"
Chloe let out a sob.
"Talk to me, love."
Taking a deep breath, she told Becky everything. She needed to know the best way to disclose who she really is. There was no way she could continue to lie to someone she loved. If she was honest, maybe her help would be accepted. God, how do I get myself out of this mess?
"Chloe, you'll know when it's the best time to tell him. Right now he isn't ready to listen."
In the morning, Chloe stopped by the office and had coffee with Sherry. She asked for another week before starting her job and handed her five hundred dollars in cash for her rent.
"Chloe, thank you very much, but you don't have to pay for your room. You won't be making enough money to support yourself while working here."
"I insist. You've been more than kind, and besides, I saved up plenty of money. If I find myself unable to pay, I'll come to you. Deal?"
With that, Sherry was pleased. But Chloe wasn't happy at all. The older woman, whom she was becoming so fond of, was just one more person being lied to. I'll come clean, but first I have to help Matthew and Conner, even if it means I lose them. At least I'll know they'll be okay.
With her mind made up, Chloe headed for Matthew's apartment.
Chapter 5
Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the door and announced herself. Conner told Chloe the door was unlocked and to come on in. What she saw was very difficult to watch.
Conner had his checkbook out and was going through the enormous pile of bills. He rubbed his head frequently while he sorted through the ones he could pay and the ones he couldn't. A cloud of smoke floated above the kitchen, the oxygen hissing away.
"Damn bills. Have a seat, Chloe. It's good to see you again."
"I ordered us lunch. I hope you don't mind. There's a great Italian restaurant up the street. I bet you like lasagna."
"Lasagna? I haven't had lasagna in so long." Conner was smiling from ear to ear. "I'll be done in just a minute, and we can chat. I'm so grateful that Sherry doesn't complain when the rent has to be a tad late."
Chloe stared at the pile of bills. "Would you like some help going through them?"
"No, there isn't much to do really. We pay what we can. I wish I wouldn't have gotten so sick."
"I'm sorry you don't feel very well, Conner."
"Smoking does that to you, so don't ever start. I had asthma growing up, and slowly it turned into a worse medical condition."
Chloe noticed the cigarette roller and bag of tobacco. Conner saw her looking at it.
"I didn't smoke until Matthew's mom walked out. But that's neither here nor there. I know my time is running out, so it's a little late to get on a health kick. I roll my own cigarettes or else I couldn't afford them."
The delivery man finally showed up with lunch, and Chloe could turn her attention on getting the food served. Conner was tall like Matthew but very underweight and frail. He only ate a little, saying a full stomach made it harder for him to breathe.
When she opened the refrigerator to put the leftovers away, the contents shocked her; they hardly had food. "Conner, I can go to the store and pick you up some things. I know you can't get out, so I'd love to help." Her eyes were beginning to water.
"We don't eat much." Conner smiled, knowing Chloe wouldn't believe a word of it.
"Excuse me for a minute. I have to use the bathroom, and then I think I should rest a bit." Conner avoided eye contact after she looked inside the refrigerator.
When she heard the bathroom door close, Chloe worked as fast as she could to write down numbers, bank account information, and the hospital they owed money to. The balance in the checkbook was only thirty-seven dollars. There were three bills on the table in sealed envelopes with stamps, but Chloe didn't dare open them. She was able to finish and get the table back the way Conner had left it.
He was coughing and gasping when he returned, and with some guidance, Chloe was able to get him a breathing treatment started. When he was doing better, she said goodbye, closed the door, and then ran down the hall.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Matthew and Conner had a joint account. There was no savings, just the checking account with very little money. The first thing that had to be done was fill that up some. Chloe hopped in her car and went to their bank.
While sitting in a chair waiting for the bank manager to be available, Chloe began filling out a deposit slip. When her name was called, she walked into the small office and closed the door.
A well dressed, middle-aged woman stood up and shook Chloe's hand. "How can I help you today? Were you interested in opening an account with us?"
"No, thank you. I'm here to deposit money into a friend's account. I have to remain anonymous if possible, and I need the money available to them today."
"I see. We need the account information to make the deposit."
"I have the necessary information, but please, you can't say a word."
"The only way to make funds available to him today would be by a cash deposit."
"I'll be right back then. Thank you."