“Heard you flew private for the first time,” he said with a grin.
I shook my head and laughed. “Sure did, yep. I guess I’m fancy now.”
“I told him it was too much, but he’s pretty thickheaded sometimes. Once he gets something in that skull of his, nothing short of a lobotomy will get it out.”
I had started to see that. “Yeah… we had a talk about that.”
“Good. He’s gotta learn his limits aren’t other people’s limits. Come on, let’s grab a drink and chat.”
Despite the bar not officially being open yet, Joe managed to sweet talk us two bottles of beer. We clinked the glass as we sat at a high top with a bowl of nuts in a white porcelain dish at the center. Joe pulled a fat, spiced walnut off the top and popped it in his mouth.
“We’re almost done finalizing the payment for Danny,” Joe said. “Just need the hospital to provide us with a little more info and then we should be all set. What Rome hasn’t figure out yet—and this is where you come in—is how this should be presented to them.”
“What do you mean ‘presented’?”
“As in, how do we tell Danny and Paola that they’re all set? No more medical bill debt.”
“Ah,” I said. He wanted my opinion because I had experience in that realm. While my medical billsdidcripple my family, I still understood the delicate nature of charity. “Danny doesn’t need to know. He likely won’t understand the unsurmountable bills his mother’s been saddled with. Nor should he, really.” I took a swig of my beer and rubbed my chin. “He naps a lot. I can reach out to Paola and get her to tell me when he’s usually sleeping. Does Rome want to do this in person?”
Joe wagged his hand. “His priority is getting them paid ASAP. Schedulingshouldfree up a bit when we win tonight. It isn’t out of the realm of possibility to have Rome miss a game and spend time at the hospital.”
I continued to rub my chin. “Well… does hewantthe recognition?” I didn’t understand the look Joe gave me. Offense?Confusion? I clarified and said, “I mean, I know he doesn’tneedit. I get that. But truly… it’s a sight and a hell of an experience to tell someone they no longer have any debt. I know he doesn’t need the ego boost but…” I knew I had the words how to convey this. When my eyes fell on the hint of a gold chain peeking out from under Joe’s collar, I realized the direction.
“It’s spiritually rewarding,” I said. “Rome deserves that. It will strengthen his faith if he is able to see the joy and relief he brings to someone who is struggling.” I nodded as I leaned into my own words. “It’ll embolden him, really, to go further. To do more with what he has.”
I had been staring beyond Joe as I spoke and when I finished, my eyes sharpened on him. He stared right at me, into me, with the hint of a smile curling the corners of his lips.
“Could you help us with that?” he asked with slight hesitation.
“With… what, to do more?” He nodded. “I suppose. But I’m not sure what you…” I pushed my tongue into my cheek as information coalesced in my mind. An idea formed. One so outlandish and fantastical it only happened in farfetched imaginations. “How permanent is this charity organization you’re setting up, Joe?”
“It’s going to be a foundation,” he said, and I felt thunder roll through me. “Well, itwill be. Rome doesn’t know that yet. But you’ve convinced me. Because you’re right—once he sees Paola’s reaction, everything is going to change. We, you and me, need to be ready when he decides to take on another case.” Joe grinned widely as he shifted in his seat. “Imagine that, Alex. Rome turns to us and says he wants to do this again and wealready have cases waiting.”
I felt my heart flutter. Rome’s eye-watering wealth, Joe’s keen contractural intellect, my connections and know-how.
But your photography.
Mentally, my camera was already covered in dust as I looked at the shiny new thing in front of me.
“There it is,” Joe said. I looked up from staring at the peanuts in the bowl.
“There what is?”
“I literally just saw on your face the moment you made a decision,” he said. “We’re gonna do this, Alex. We’re gonna build something thatlasts. I want your help. Ineedyour help. Let’s do this. Let’s put together a plan. We can keep it a secret from Rome if you’re comfortable with that and then reveal it at the right moment.” Joe stood up, drained half his beer, and started into a pace before the high top. “This feelsright, Alex. Don’t you agree? Come on, man, you gotta agree.”
I blew out air and leaned back. My eyes tracked Joe as he walked back and forth. “A foundation, Joe? As in, a full-blown nonprofit in Rome’s name?”
“Yes.Yes. He’s been worried about life post-baseball. He only has a few more years left.” He stopped suddenly and pointed at me. “Do nottell anyone else I said that. Okay?”
I held up my hands. “Yeah, yeah. Okay.”
Back to pacing. “This is his next stage in life. I can see it.” He panned his hands wide as if looking at a marquee. “The Romolo Moretti Foundation. Or something like that. Dang, this is the perfect next step.”
“I think it’s a wonderful idea,” I said. “What else do we need to do? I have no idea what goes into building something like this.”
“I do. And I know plenty of others who can help.” He pulled out his phone and went back to the table. “Tell me your schedule. Let’s strike while the iron is hot and figure out when we can connect.”
At least this Morettiasksfirst, I thought sardonically as I pulled out my phone.
