Cory's Dilemma

by Dan Petrosini

  Linda looked at her feet. “I’m not ready.”

  “How about we go back to therapy? We’ll work on everything, and you can take as much time as you need.”

  She looked like she was going to say yes but said, “I’ll think about it.”

  “Okay. That’s all I ask.”

  Linda’s face relaxed and Cory said, “Were you able to reserve the rooftop?”

  She nodded and Cory said, “Super. If you have any errands to run or you want to do something, go for it.”

  “I’ll probably hang around.”

  “You sure?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Come on, guys. Let’s go up to the roof.”

  “Daddy, can we play golf?”

  “Definitely. But I’m going to win this time.”

  Less than an hour later, as Cory boosted Tommy onto his shoulders, he saw Linda watching them. He took a couple of steps toward her.

  “What’s the matter?”

  “Uh, nothing, I just wanted to see if the kids needed anything to drink.”

  Cory knew it was a cover. She was checking up on him.

  “I got them a bottle of water from the vending machine.”

  “Oh, all right, have fun. See you later.”

  An hour later, Ava held the door for Cory as he carried a sleeping Tommy into the apartment. Cory laid his son on the couch and went into the kitchen. Linda was preparing dinner. He said, “In two weeks, we’re headed to London and then Milan. It’d be a great trip for the kids and you.”

  Linda shook her head.

  “Separate rooms and hotels even.”

  “Maybe next time.”

  “Okay. I’ll see you day after tomorrow.”

  “Cory?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Uhm, I was thinking about what you said about trying therapy again. If you’re serious about it, I’m willing to try again.”

  “Trust me, Linda, there’s nothing more important to me.”

  “Okay, let’s try again.”

  “Thanks. You won’t regret it. We’ll work it all out.”

  Cory floated home. For the first time, he truly felt things would work out. They’d take their time, but he was okay with that. All he had to do was end the partying, and he was ready to do it. Entering his apartment, his phone rang. It was Tower. He was finally returning his call.

  “I don’t know how you did it, but I’m sure glad you did.”

  “We need to talk.”

  “About what?”

  “Protecting you.”

  “From what?”

  “Your past.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “The material Mr. Bonner had on you.”

  “Don’t tell me he’s starting up again.”

  “No, he’s not the issue.”

  “What is the issue?”

  “Keeping the information secret is a very expensive endeavor.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Be at my office tomorrow morning.”

  Chapter Sixty-Two

  Cory went straight for the bottle of bourbon, wondering what Tower was talking about. He wanted to cut back on the booze and hesitated. This was a stressful situation, he reasoned, and poured a glass. Was there another copy of the pictures of the stolen tunes? Who could have them? Was it someone close to Bonner?

  He wanted to call Mr. Black and ask him to look into it. But he decided to wait until tomorrow. Cory was sure Tower would clarify what the situation was. The lawyer had helped to turn things around. He was sure to have an answer for it.

  Cory sipped his drink, thankful he was making enough money to cover Tower’s costs. His mood began to rise again. It had been a good day with his kids, and Linda was giving him another shot at therapy.

  Cory scrolled through the pictures he took today. It was a little two-hole putting green, but they had fun. He stared at the last image of Tommy sleeping on the couch. He looked so peaceful.

  Cory wondered where the switch from being able to sleep in the middle of a noisy place to being woken up by the distant beep of a car horn took place. Cory went to a window and looked at the sky thinking it wasn’t only innocence that children lost.

  Seeing the stars that made up the Milky Way gave Cory a song idea. He retreated to the studio and sat at the piano. He started composing a kid’s song in the key of C. The simple melody was nothing more than starting on the third note and going up the next three, then back down one and repeating it for another bar.

  He wrote down ideas for lyrics, knowing he wanted the message to be hope. He was amazed at how quickly the process went. The words came easily. Excited by it, he wanted his kids to hear it. It was too late to call, so he recorded what he had on his phone and sent it to Linda.

  * * *

  Sipping coffee, Cory left a message for Dr. Bruno. He asked for a couple’s session as soon as possible, even today, if she had availability. He was going on tour and there was no sense waiting in case Linda changed her mind.

  Looking out the window, the sun was shining. He knew it was going to be a good day. The sky made him think about the song he’d written last night. He went into the studio and picked up the sheet music. Humming the melody, he thought of his kids and Linda. He couldn’t believe he was getting another chance to be a family again.

  It would be nice if they could take a vacation. He felt it could fast-forward the reconciliation. His schedule was hectic, but at the least, they could spend a few days in Connecticut.

  He dialed Baffa’s office. His manager was out, but he left a message telling him to hold off selling the house. Cory went back to the kitchen, popping another pod in the machine.

  He couldn’t get the melody to “Milky Way Express,” the song he wrote last night, out of his head. Linda said the kids really liked it. Cory wondered if there was anything he could do with it, or was it just something for his kids. He’d check into it when he came back from meeting Tower.

  As the SUV pulled up to an office building, Cory’s attention shifted. “Wait here. I don’t think this is going to be more than half an hour.”

  Tower didn’t get up when Cory was shown into his office. “Have a seat.”

  Cory eased himself into a chair. “What’s going on?”

  “The value of the compromising material obtained from Mr. Bonner tracks the success of your career. You’re rising, climbing the charts, and selling out venues. Naturally, anything that would jeopardize the revenue stream you’re producing needs to be tightly contained. You understand that, don’t you?”

  “Sure, but you said Bonner isn’t a problem.”

  “He may no longer be, but the images are digital, and there is simply no way to know, with any certainty, that copies have not been circulated.”

  “But that’s always been the case. We never knew if there were duplicates out there, and we were okay with that because nobody came forward.”

  “Yes, that’s true. But it doesn’t remove the threat.”

  “I’m sorry, I don’t understand what’s changed.”

  “The value of what would be career-ending information has changed.”

  “What difference does that make? And to who?”

  “To me and my firm. Safeguarding such critical information is a difficult and expensive endeavor.”

  Cory swallowed. “Has someone said something to you?”

  “No. There is no known threat, but we must remain vigilant. Museums spend enormous sums of money protecting works of art without being aware of any specific dangers. It’s the price of deterrence.”

  “How much more a month?”

  “It’s time to set aside the idea of a monthly payment. It has an adversarial feel to it. I feel our agreement should be one that perfectly aligns our interests. That makes more sense, doesn’t it?”

  “I guess so. What are you talking about?”

  “My proposal is to split the revenues in the middle. Whatever you net from touring, appearances, sales, and downloads, we split right down t
he middle. Half for you and half for my firm.”

  Cory’s face heated up. “What? You want half of the money I make?”

  “Correct.”

  “That’s way too much.”

  “No, it’s cheap in comparison to what you’d lose if the evidence leaked out.”

  Blood pounded in his ears. “You’re threatening me?”

  “It’s not a threat. The reality is you have no choice.”

  “I . . . I got to go.”

  Cory’s hand trembled as he hit the lobby button. He couldn’t think straight. Tower, the man who saved his ass from going to jail, was trying to extort money from him. He was no better than Bonner.

  Climbing into the SUV, the driver asked, “You all right, Cory?”

  “Yeah, just got a lot on my mind.”

  Back in his apartment, Cory poured a glass of bourbon and kept rolling around what Tower said. He’d asked if there was anyone who might have known that he stole the music that made his career. The answer was no. There was no doubt it was Tower threatening to release the damaging photos if he didn’t partner with him.

  He couldn’t be blackmailed again, especially in the amount Tower demanded. Cory considered coming clean. As he finished his drink, he thought it could be time to get it out there and end the madness.

  It was the only way to get true freedom. It was the right move, but the problem was his family. If Linda found out what he’d done, it’d be another setback. He felt it would be the end. How would he explain it to her? To Ava? They’d be crushed and embarrassed.

  Cory picked up the bottle of bourbon and stared at it. He needed a little taste. Just enough to soothe his nerves. Grabbing a glass, he poured a finger’s worth. He lifted the drink, pausing before downing it.

  It felt good. Thinking how tough Tower was, he poured another drink, this time two fingers. Cory picked up the bourbon, wondering if his all-or-nothing plan would work with the cagey lawyer.

  He set the glass back down and picked up the bottle. Cory held the bottle upside down over the drain, emptying it. Tower was tough. Cory would need a clear head if he was going to walk the plank.

  Chapter Sixty-Three

  A feeling of satisfaction washed over Cory. He smiled. “That was great, guys. My friend Tracy has some cool stuff for everybody. Who wants a T-shirt and hat?”

  Every one of the kid’s hands shot up. “I don’t think we have enough to go around.”

  A chorus of groans rang out.

  “Just kidding, guys.”

  Cory was chatting with a girl in a wheelchair as Tracy distributed the giveaways. Cory’s phone rang. It was Bruno. “I’ll be right back, I got to take this.”

  He stepped into the hospital’s corridor. “Hello, Dr. Bruno. I did what you said, and guess what? Linda said yes. How soon can you fit us in?”

  “Wonderful. I have a slot available on Thursday, noontime.”

  “Perfect. Say, I need a few minutes alone. Something major came up, and it’ll affect Linda and the kids. Can I sneak in today?”

  “I’m sorry. There’s no room in my schedule.”

  “I only need ten minutes, max.”

  “There are protocols—”

  “Please, Doc, it’s super important. As a friend, I’m asking.”

  “Come in during my lunch break.”

  * * *

  Stepping into Dr. Bruno’s empty waiting room, Cory said, “Hello? Dr. Bruno?”

  “I’m in my office.”

  A Tupperware container full of salad was centered on Bruno’s desk. “Sorry to bust up your lunch.”

  “It’s fine. Sit down. Tell me how I can help.”

  “Thanks, uhm. Well, you know, things are going well, as I told you. I’m super excited about Linda agreeing to do therapy, and I want everything to work out.”

  “What concerns you?”

  “There’s something I don’t want her to know. I mean, I want her to know, but I’m afraid it’s going to change everything and ruin things.”

  “Does it involve your relationship? Another woman?”

  “No, it’s my career. You see, I did something I’m not proud of, but, well, I did what I did. It’s been tough to deal with, but I had everything under control until it came back to haunt me.”

  “Burying troubling experiences delays their resolution. Eventually they surface and must be dealt with.”

  “I know, but the timing is all wrong. I’m just getting a chance with her, and I can’t screw it up before we start. I want to tell her, but can’t I wait until we get back on track?”

  “Honesty is fundamental to building the trust necessary for a lasting relationship.”

  “I know, but I need to start things back with Linda, otherwise there’s no relationship at all.”

  “You want to find a way to delay telling her until you’re on solid footing with her?”

  “Exactly.”

  She shook her head. “Honesty isn’t something to be postponed. If she were to find out before you had a chance to tell her, it could backfire on you.”

  “Yeah, but telling her upfront would kill any chance of getting back together.”

  “Telling the truth may have consequences, but it wouldn’t undermine trust. Additionally, you’d be able to finally get the demon out in the open.”

  “The timing isn’t right.”

  “It often never is. Can we discuss the issue? You’re safe here. You can tell me anything, and it can’t be repeated, not even to law enforcement.”

  “Somebody did something to me, and I can’t believe it.”

  “You’re feeling betrayed?”

  “Damn right, I am. My manager screwed me, and now this.”

  “We must rely on others at times, but we also must exercise personal responsibility. You can’t outsource certain things. You don’t have to answer, but given what happened with your former manager, is this a financial matter?”

  “Part of it is, but the other thing is it won’t make me look good.”

  “Money is made and lost but doesn’t influence happiness, love, or relationships. Most of my clients are considered wealthy, yet they have problems. In many cases, money complicates matters, and I’ve yet to see it solve the issues that bring them here. I would focus on the issue’s impact on the people that you love.”

  “You’re right, but I just can’t say anything now.”

  The timer on her desk sounded. “I’d like to discuss this further, but I’ve got an appointment in five minutes.”

  * * *

  Too many things were running through Cory’s mind. He put sunglasses and a baseball cap on and went for a walk. Bruno was right about coming clean, but he knew Linda; she’d shut down, and that would be it.

  He couldn’t fault her. What he’d done was despicable and would bring shame to her and his kids. Waiting to cross Madison Avenue, a woman to his right stared at him, putting her hand to her mouth. He smiled and turned up the street instead of crossing.

  He wished there were a way he could tell his wife, explain that he wanted a better life for them, but how?

  Mid-block, a mother came out of a building holding the hand of a girl in leg braces. “Howya doing today, ladies?”

  “Oh my God! Mom! It’s Cory Loop.”

  “Can we take pictures?”

  “Absolutely, go for it.” Cory put his arm around the girl, and the mother took pictures.

  “Can I have an autograph?”

  “Of course.”

  The mother rifled through her bag, handing him an envelope that he signed. “If you want, send an email to FanofCory.com, and we’ll send you a signed picture.”

  “Really?”

  “Absolutely. Have a good one, I got to go.”

  Cory felt good. Cheering up kids, especially those with challenges, touched him in a way that even music didn’t. He knew they got a charge out of him because of who he was, but he also got something out of it.

  Cory remembered that as a teenager, his father thought he was obsessed wit
h practicing. He never understood the inner joy and fulfillment Cory got from playing. It wasn’t the same with helping kids, but they both generated a deep sense of satisfaction.

  Cory realized that not one of the things he got with the money, including the Connecticut house and high-end apartments, came close. Cory believed he could do without wealth, but the shame and damage to his reputation would ruin his ability to help children.

  He would pay Tower, if he had to, at least for a short time. But he had to find a way to get out of his grasp because giving up half his income would be impossible to hide for long.

  Cory turned around and headed back to his apartment. A block away from his apartment, he stopped short. An idea hit him. He thought it through. Could it work?

  Chapter Sixty-Four

  Cory finished telling Baffa what he wanted to do. After ten seconds of silence, his manager said, “Are you sure about this?”

  “Yes. I feel strongly about it.”

  “You’re aware this is going to require changes, large ones?”

  “Yeah, I get it, and I’m super okay with it.”

  “We’ll have to advise the label about this.”

  “You think they’ll be a problem?”

  “They may not like it, but the reality is they don’t have a choice; it doesn’t affect them.”

  “Good. How long is it going to take?”

  “A couple of days, maximum.”

  “Super.”

  “You really want to go ahead, then?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “You realize there is no going back after this?”

  “I get it, and I’m fine with it. Get it done.”

  * * *

  Cory hung up with Tower and shut his phone. He took a couple of deep breaths and stepped out of the bathroom.

  Tracy said, “You okay?”

  “Never been better. Let’s get this going.”

  Cory walked down the hallway into a roomful of reporters. He sat behind a microphone-covered table. Cory smiled.

  “I want to thank everyone for coming this morning. I’m hoping that today marks the beginning of the end of suffering for millions of children. It’s time that we truly commit to finding a cure for childhood cancer.

  “It’s not an easy battle to fight, but I believe we can win it. In an effort to show my commitment, I have created an irrevocable trust. The Reach for the Stars Trust will provide money to researchers to treat and cure this devastating disease.