The girl’s complexion darkened a couple of shades. Her embarrassment didn’t bother him a whit. He was what he was.

Donatti felt his phone buzz in his coat pocket. He retrieved it and looked at the screen. “It’s Gabe.” He stood and walked away from her. “I have Mom. She’s in my ER being treated.”

“How is she?”

“Beaten up. She was semiconscious when we got here.”

“I’ll come out.”

“Let me talk to the doctors first. What’s your schedule?”

“It’s whatever you want it to be.”

“What’s on your calendar?”

“I have a concert in Boston tomorrow—actually today, but I can call my agent. It’s like five in the morning.”

“Don’t call anyone yet. What’s after that?”

“Schedule-wise? The next day I’ve got a concert in the Berkshires, and then I’m free for ten days.”

“Come out then. You know, maybe I can call Rina to come out … Help watch the girl.”

“Rina and Peter are on a plane to Israel.”

“Israel?”

“Yeah. They bought a place there.”

Donatti was mystified. “Why?”

“It’s the Jewish homeland. They’re Jewish.”

“Are they coming back?”

“Yeah, they’ll be back in about two weeks.”

“That may be good timing. She can come after you leave.”

“Uh, you know Rina is religious. And you know you live in a brothel.”

“I’m not pimping her out, Gabriel, I’m asking for help with your sister.”

“Don’t get mad, but I think we need someone to stay with Mom while she’s in the hospital.”

“Well, glory fuck, I never thought of that.”

“I said don’t get mad.”

“I’m staying with her until she’s out of the hospital, whenever that is. At some point, I’m going to have to settle your sister in your room, but that shouldn’t take more than an hour or two. She’ll be alone until I can arrange things, so it would be nice if you could spend some time with her while you’re here.”

“She’ll want to stay at the hospital, Dad.”

“I don’t want her here. She talks too much.”

“Juleen talks too much?”

“A regular chatterbox.”

“Wow. News to me. She’ll want to see her mother, Chris.”

“Gabriel, stop arguing with me. I don’t want her to see her mother laid up. You haven’t seen her. I have. She looks horrible. Furthermore, I have no idea what shape she’s in. The kid has enough worries. So just shut up and let me take care of this situation, okay?”

“Sorry.” He meant it. “Whatever you think, Dad. Thank you for handling everything. I owe you one.”

“You owe me more than one, Gabriel, but not for this. I’ll call you as soon as I know more.”

“Wait. Can I talk to Juleen?”