Chapter 5 - THE MAN WHO CAME TO THE HOSPITAL
Three days later, Giovanni Fioraldi walked into the pediatric ward where I worked.
I nearly dropped a tray of medical supplies.
He stood near the nurses' station wearing a dark coat, holding a small paper bag.
Every nurse within twenty feet stopped pretending not to stare.
I approached him.
“Mr. Fioraldi?”
He turned.
“Jessica.”
“What are you doing here?”
He looked almost amused.
“Visiting.”
“This is a hospital.”
“I noticed.”
I folded my arms.
“Who are you visiting?”
His expression softened.
“A little boy named Daniel Russo.”
I blinked.
“Daniel?”
Giovanni nodded.
“He's the son of one of my employees.”
I knew Daniel.
Seven years old.
Recovering from complicated surgery.
His mother had spent three nights sleeping in a chair beside his bed.
Giovanni lifted the paper bag.
“He asked for a particular comic book.”
I stared.
“You came all the way here to bring him a comic book?”
“Yes.”
“Couldn't someone else do it?”
He looked at me.
“Of course.”
“Then why didn't they?”
Giovanni was silent for a moment.
Then said:
“Because I promised him I would.”
Something inside me softened.
I knew what broken promises did to children.
Lily had been waiting for Tyler to keep one for five years.
I stepped aside.
“Room 214.”
Giovanni smiled.
“Thank you.”
As he passed, he paused.
“Jessica?”
“Yes?”
“Would you have coffee with me sometime?”
I stared.
“You're asking me out?”
“Yes.”
“Here?”
“Yes.”
I laughed.
May you like
He smiled.
And for the first time, I wondered whether the most dangerous man in Chicago might also be the most unexpectedly decent man I'd ever met.
