Read Online Before We Were Strangers by Renee Carlino - Free Book Online Page A

to participate in potentially dangerous medical studies. “It’s not your problem.”
    “It’s my family. I read about this study and I can make the money back before next week. They pay you every day. I’m going to get my cello back and everything will be fine. But I have to do this, Matt. It’s not a big deal.”
    “It’s a huge deal, Grace. You don’t know how this medication will affect you.”
    “You still don’t get it.”
    “I’m trying to. I have some money. I’ll get your cello back for you.”
    She shook her head. “I won’t let you. You need to buy photo paper and film.”
    “I have plenty. Don’t worry.” Grace hated letting me help her. She wanted to be independent. “Go change—it’ll be okay.”
    She turned and shuffled behind the curtain. When she came back out, she was smiling uncertainly. “You must think I’m insane.”
    “I like your neuroses.” I put my arm around her shoulder. “I’m just not going to let anyone use you as a lab rat.”
    As she walked by the refreshment table, she scooped a handful of creamers out of the bowl and shoved them into her bag. She would steal creamers everywhere we went, mix them with water, and pour them over her cereal. I smiled at her and shook my head. In a silly voice she said, “Just goin’ grocery shoppin’.” The mood suddenly lifted and we both laughed as we walked out the door. Still, it killed meto think Grace was sending her parents money that her dad was probably using for beer.
    We went to the bank and I withdrew the last three hundred dollars I had. I didn’t tell Grace that I actually had negative eight cents in my account after the withdrawal. She took me to the pawnshop where she had dealt her cello, and we were greeted by a middle-aged man behind the counter. “Hello, Grace,” he said.
    I shot Grace a disapproving look. “He knows you?” I whispered.
    She pinched her eyebrows together. “Kind of.”
    “Here to pick up your cello?”
    “Yep,” Grace said.
    I handed the man three hundred dollars. He went into the back and returned a moment later with the large cello case. Grace completed the paperwork and we left. Once outside the building, I turned to her. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.”
    I went back inside the pawnshop and asked the man for a piece of paper. “Here’s the number where I live. Please don’t let Grace pawn her cello again. She’s an extraordinary musician. She needs it for school. Just call me and I’ll come down and straighten things out.”
    That night, after Grace went to bed, I snuck down to the lounge and called my father collect from the payphone.
    “Son?”
    “Hi, Dad.”
    “Hey there. You impressing everyone at NYU?” Sarcasm seeped through every syllable. He was never good at hiding his disdain.
    “I called because I have a friend who needs help and Iwas wondering if you could loan me some money to lend to her.” My pride was completely gone. I closed my eyes and waited for his response.
    “This is for a her? A girlfriend?”
    “No, Dad. It’s not like that.”
    “You get some girl in trouble? Is that what you’re telling me?”
    I took a deep breath. “She’s my closest friend here, and she doesn’t have any help financially. Not like me and Alex. She’s putting herself through school almost completely on her own. She’s a musician and needs a new cello, but she can’t afford it.” I had to lie a little; I didn’t want to go into all the details.
    “You know, I have your brother’s wedding to pay for.”
    “Monica’s parent’s aren’t paying for the wedding?”
    “Well, we want to throw them a nice engagement party, and then we have the rehearsal dinner and open bar and . . .”
    “Okay, Dad. No problem.”
    A beat of silence. “Well, at least you’re starting to appreciate what we’ve done for you. How much do you need, son?”
    “A few hundred dollars.”
    “I’ll put it in your account tomorrow. You know, I’m willing to help you out,