Page 107 of Stronger Than Fate
»“Can you let me talk and listen to me? I need to know how you are because…”
»“Oh my God! If I have her phone it’s because I’m with her and I assure you I didn’t travel. You’ve got me worried, you just called me and all I could hear was noise…”
»“Henry, are you listening to what I’m saying?”
»—…
»“I already told you no. She doesn’t want to,” she said in a lower tone. “Just tell me if you’re okay and if you’re with someone, and I don’t mean women, I mean your friends.”
»—…
»“Don’t insist.”
»—…
»“Yes, she arrived today.”
»—…
»“Is Waylon with you?”
»—…
»“I’m asking you, please, to take care of yourself, you have me worried. And don’t drink anymore, do it for me,” Niky said, and her expression of sadness and concern really troubled me because I also adored my brothers and would worry about them just like she was.
»—…
»—What you’re asking is impossible. There’s nothing I can do, I’m sorry. Take care of yourself, please I’m begging you.
»—…
»—No, Henry. We’ll talk later and answer when I call you.
Niky hung up and stared at the phone, thoughtful. Then she stretched out her hand and returned it to me.
—Do you feel better now? —I asked, although it was obvious she didn’t.
—Not really. But, well, there’s nothing I can do.
—Was he with someone? I mean his friend —I clarified immediately, because I didn’t want her to think I was asking about women.
—He told me he was with Waylon.
—That’s good, isn’t it?
—Maybe —she said, though she remained thoughtful and downcast—, but he’s still being reckless. Well, let’s watch that movie, there’s nothing more I can do now.
We started watching it, although it was clear that neither of us was concentrating on it and both for the same reason—we wereworried about Henry. Niky had managed to pass her concern on to me, and now all I could think about was that being in a place surrounded by people, he could easily become a target again for the person who had already attacked him. A person who was still out there unpunished for their crimes.
A little while later, Niky’s phone rang and we both jumped. She picked it up immediately and looked at me with great concern.
—It’s Waylon —she informed me.
She put the phone to her ear and answered:
»—Hello, Waylon, is something wrong?
»—…
