Page 57 of Unfinished

“Are you John Teresi’s son?” I looked up at a doctor. This man was about to give me the worst news of my life.

“Yes, he is,” Bas responded to the doctor.

“Your father is okay, we got him here in time. We’ve given him some beta blockers and we are running a few tests. We’ve contacted his cardiologist and we will be discussing possible surgery. For now he’s stable,” the doctor said, and relief rushed over me and it felt like I’d been holding my breath this entire time.

“Thank you,” I breathed out in relief.

“Is he under unusual stress?”

“Stress?” I didn’t know what was happening in my brain because I started laughing. How the hell did I tell a doctor that yes, in fact, he was under a lot of stress? His conniving wife and my mother ruined my entire life while the family had situations going on in New York. Instead, all I did was laugh, because yes, we are all under a lot of stress.

“Um, I think the whole family is under some stress right now.” Bas spoke up while I was still laughing and the doctor looked wide-eyed at us both.

“We will be moving him to the CCU soon. Once he’s all settled in, I’ll have someone come to talk to you and take you to him,” the doctor said once my laughing calmed down. Then he left and the gravity of everything continued to push down on me.

“I need air.” Standing up, I walked towards the exit. Once outside, I made my way to a designated smoking area that was on the other side of the parking lot. I asked for a cigarette from a women standing nearby, and she gave one to me.

Bas gave me a disappointed look, but I didn't care. I smoked for about six months right after high school during the stress of starting college. I quit smoking once classes started. However, in times of high stress, I typically smoked a cigarette or two. It didn’t actually help, but for five minutes I sat and stopped. The buzz that hit my brain provided a temporary relief and that was all I needed.

“What do you want to do, man?” Bas asked.

“I’m staying here. Can you have Archer or Rion grab my car from Hannah’s and drop it off at my house?”

“Sure.” Bas started texting one of the two.

“I’ll call our security at the house and inform them my mom is not allowed any access until a meeting can be set up with our lawyer. I’ll call the lawyer and have him come down here once my dad wakes up.”

“I’m sure it’s stress. He’ll be up and active again soon.”

“We have to leave next week for New York.”

“It’ll be okay, maybe we can take your dad back to New York,” Bas suggested, and I nodded.

Maybe it was time for all of us to leave California behind. My dad never really liked it here and was only here because of my mom. My dad did a lot to make my mom happy but she was never really happy. There was always something more, something to buy, more events, more people to meet, more, more, more. Everyone tried to make her happy, all it did was leave my dad in the hospital and me heartbroken.

“When am I going to be able to go to Pittsburgh? How am I going to talk to Hannah?” I asked.

“Maybe you just text her for now. Let her know that you found out what’s going on. Update her with information about your mom, that your dad wants a divorce, that you are going no contact. Tell her about your dad. Give her time to settle.”

I pulled out my phone and looked at it. I still hadn’t gotten a response from her from any of the messages I sent and I knew she was only doing this to protect Ashley and her dad. Bas was right, I should keep her informed.

Me: I know everything.

Me: My dad is in the hospital.

Me: He had another heart attack after telling my mom he wants a divorce because of what she did to you and your family.

Me: I told my mom I wanted nothing to do with her and she’s to never contact me again.

Me: Bas is having a public hit piece done on my mom for what she did.

Me: She won’t be a problem anymore.

Me: I know you’re gone.

Me: I love you.

I stared at my phone, willing her to say anything to me. Hell, I would take a “K” and I hate that. I needed something from her. Please don’t leave me, Hannah. When my phone dinged I held my breath at her response.

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