Page 140 of Forbidden

The psychologist’s cat walks by, and it lays in the sun.

“So?”

“I don’t know what to do, and she’s gone. The only one I’ve ever wanted… No. Needed… Is gone.”

“And is she really the one?”

I nod, too fucked up to try speaking.

“Well,” my shrink says, standing. “You know what you need to do, then.”

We share a look, and I sigh. I’m the least emotional guy I know, but I wipe a tear away, hating myself for feeling so fucking weak.

“Just remember,” she says. “And we’ve discussed it before. Many orphans, or those who are given up for adoption, do it. Children without siblings, also do it.”

I lean back, and I control my breathing.

“Feeling like you are all alone in the world, naturally makes you independent, not dependent. Many naturally get nervous about relying on others. They then become hyper independent. Do you sense that?”

I nod.

“Remaining all alone, is naturally predictable. Also safe. It is entirely controllable. There is however a catch.” She lifts the cat up, and she holds it close. “Love does not make you weak, it can help. Help you feel strong and loved. You can build a tribe, Lorenzo, and you can build a family. A family you can rely on. A family, a tribe, can be stronger than a lone man. There is also… ”

“Strength in numbers?” I ask.

We share a look, and she is right. But only with my girl.

“If deep down, you know she is the one, get her back!”

My shrink smiles and sighs. “Now, you have to go, I have a crazy person arriving, and you’re as good as gold.”

I stand and pause. She then pulls me in for a hug. It means a lot, we’d become close in my twenties, when I was really messed up.

“You’re a good man, Lorenzo, and she sounds unique. Don’t screw this up, if she is… ”

“She is!”

“Then do whatever it takes.”

I head out feeling better, and I know it has to be done. Get her back.Whatever it takes!

Over the next few days,I call Storm daily. She does not answer, so I message, and say all the right things. She does not reply, not even once.

I try to focus on work to kill time, but I foolishly ignore several things. Several situations implode, and I miss a couple of great movie opportunities. I also lose several hundred million in the markets. That is a lie.

I lose just under a billion, because I fail to track price shifts in commodity markets. I am losing it, I am losing my edge.

Dante and I talk more about our planned deal. The joint venture in entertainment. It will combine entertainment and fashion. Things I am close to, and he is deep into.

It’s a complex deal, and I try to convince him it is worth the planning, and headaches.

Dante seems reluctant to now get involved, and he tells me it’s because I have lost my edge. That I am now, not on fire.

I have not told Dante about Storm leaving, but my instincts tell me, he senses something has changed, and that she has left.

The only solace I find in my collapse, is time with Falcon. In the evenings, and as the sun sets across NYC, we both stare across Manhattan.

As we do the same now, we watch the golden rays kiss the horizon. It is a perfectly still and pristine evening. Suddenly the falcon cries out, and it runs.