Bound to My Mafia Stepuncle novel · Chapter 11 of 32

Chapter 11: Family Room

"Is he breathing?" I said.

"I think so. I don't know. He's gray, Miss Riley."

"Turn him on his side. Don't let him lie on his back. Call 911 and tell them it's a GI bleed and he has pancreatic cancer."

"Cancer?" she whispered.

"Tell them," I said. "I'm coming."

Angelo drove my Corolla.

He went through every red light on the Schuylkill with one hand on the wheel and the other gripping my knee.

Neither of us said a word.

By the time we got to Lankenau, the ambulance was already there.

The family waiting room was beige.

Beige chairs, beige walls, a television with the sound off showing the Eagles losing.

The Corsos filled it.

Two captains in dark coats stood by the vending machines with their wives.

The housekeeper sat in a corner in her gray cardigan with blood on her sleeves.

Paulie sat in the middle of it all with his legs spread wide and his camel coat open.

Corrine sat beside him.

Not beside our mother.

Beside him.

Mom was in the cream dress from the open house, her mascara running.

She saw me come in, soaked, with Angelo behind me.

"You," she said. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm his nurse."

"You're his nothing."

The double doors opened before she could say anything else.

A doctor came out in green scrubs, pulling down his mask.

"Family of Domenic Corso?"

Everybody stood.

"He's lost a great deal of blood. We're giving it back as fast as we can, but his heart is struggling." He looked around the room. "I understand he has advanced cancer. I need to know what he wants if his heart stops. Who is his next of kin?"

Paulie put a heavy hand on my mother's shoulder.

"His wife," he said. "Married yesterday. Donna, honey."

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