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Inside one of the shanties of a slum area, cantankerous emotions were inside Terri's soul, but what could she do? Her parents were fighting again. Carrying her youngest sibling, tears of anger fell down her cheeks. Raissa, their mother, was throwing things at their dad.

"We don't have money anymore…then you give things to Sandra!!! How dare you?!!!!"

"It's not what you think…she was just…"

More things flew.

"And now you're justifying your lust? ~@#$#$%%$%^%&^*^& *(*&(*) *&*^ &%^ &% ^ &%!!!!!"

"Please, not in front of the children!"

Raissa threw his things at him.

"Get out you good for nothing!"

The children were wailing. All fifteen of them. Michael was enraged.

He pulled Raissa's hair then said, "Children, get out! This is not for you to see!"

Outside the shanty, Terri and her other siblings were still crying. All of their neighbors were watching. They were filled with shame.

They could still hear their parents.

"Take this you bitch!"

"Stop it, Michael…stop it!"

"You deserve more…how dare you insult me in front of our children?"

"I wasn't insulting you….I was stating a fact!"

Another hit.

Terri closed her eyes and pretended these things weren't happening.

II

At a job site, Michael was mixing cement. Sandra in a haltered sleeveless blouse and short shorts that almost made the workers view "heaven" approached him. The other men whistled.

"What the hell are you doing here?" asked Michael.

Sandra who was looking forlorn said, "I am here to apologize for what happened. I heard that you and Raissa had a fight."

"The whole world knows about it!"

"Am I off the deal or something? Or is Mr. Di Angelo still getting me?"

"As far as I'm concerned, you're still the asset…Billy has no idea that I have problems at home."

"It's sad that Raissa thinks you're having an…."

Her voice trailed as Romi, the foreman, pulled her hair.

"So the rumors were true after all!"

"No Romi… we were just discussing a business deal."

"Stop pulling my leg…with what you're wearing, you expect me to believe that you're just doing business! Bullshit!!!!"

Michael placed his hand on Sandra's brother's shoulder. Romi just pushed it away.

"Romi," Michael said.

"Don't you get it? I'm not talking to you!"

"But Romi it's true…we were just discussing…"

They continued to argue.

III

Terri and six of her siblings carried large blankets to their neighbors. People handed them money when they were satisfied to see their clothes all clean.

On their way home Terri told her siblings to go ahead. A bum about sixty was in a corner reading. Terri poked him on his side. He was startled.

"Terri, my baby!"

They hug one another.

"We better be careful…People might think I'm abusing you."

"Don't be silly, Alex. People know that you're tutoring me," said Terri smiling. She noticed Alex's book. "What are you reading?"

"A book by Michael Crichton called THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN."

"May I read it?"

"Not yet, but I think I have something you can read."

"Silas Marner?" I've read this one before…It was about a waif and…"

"Oh, I'm sorry. Here. Perry Mason books."

"What are these? Who's Erle Stanley Gardner?"

"He was one of the best criminal lawyers of all times."

"Law? I'm too young for this."

"No…I think you're ready. Besides, these are mystery books."

"Whodunits? I love whodunits. I even write about them, you know."

"I hope you get to publish them. If I still have the money, I would."

Terri just smiled.

"Really, I would," Alex said seriously.

Terri looked at the sky. It was getting dark.

"I think I better go. If my father would see us together, he might say hurtful words to you again."

"He doesn't want you to associate with a gambler."

"Ex-gambler."

"Gambling's bad. Look what it did to me. I used to be wealthy. Now, I'm poor as a rat. Maybe rats are even richer that me."

"Maybe gambling isn't really that bad. Everyone gambles in life, whether it's money or about the future. It's the greed for money and power that kills."

Alex grinned then said, "I'm amazed, my child. I'm amazed!" He patted her head. "You're learning fast."

Terri kissed him on the cheek.

"Thanks for everything, Alex."

She ran fast. Alex continued to read.

IV

Inside their shack, Michael was drinking coffee. As Terri entered, she was baffled to see her father there for it was still too early for him to be there. He was black and blue all over. He also had a shiner on his left eye. She looked around their small house. The younger ones were sleeping beside their eldest brother. Raissa was nowhere to be found.

Terri gazed at her father. She was hesitant to go near him. Something evidently was bothering him. She goes near him and kissed him.

"Sweetie, it's you."

"You're home early…Where's momma?"

"Sandra went here to talk to her…now they are like sisters. They went to Sandra's friend's house. She's a nurse…ahmmm, she's going to try to do something with momma's wounds."

"Why are you here…I mean…Why are you black and blue all over?

Michael was teary-eyed. "Baby, are you still mad at me?"

"Last night I was, but not anymore."

"I never intended to hit Raissa, but she was so…"

"You don't need to explain about that…. what I need to know is…"

"I got laid off from work. Sandra went to the job site to talk about business, my sideline with Billy…she was wearing indecent apparel and had a very flirtatious voice. People misread it. Eventually, Romi did too. You see, Romi's my boss. He got mad because everybody was saying bad things about his sister. He wanted me to pay for the damage of his sister's dignity. Imagine, he still thinks his sister has dignity!"

Terri raised an eyebrow.

"Anyway, I told Raissa everything this morning `coz she didn't wanna listen to me last night. When Sandra came in this afternoon, she was very apologetic."

"What business was Sandra discussing with you?"

"Billy's looking for an asset and I asked her to be the asset. Since I was her only contact…. Why am I telling you these things? You're still a child."

"Papa, I'm almost fifteen."

"What the heck…but you must know that Raissa doesn't know anything about this."

"My lips are sealed."

Michael continued to tell her that Romi didn't want him to talk to Sandra anymore. That meant the deal was off and it also meant that he was back in hot water.

"The money momma saw you give Sandra was from this Billy?"

He nods.

"Go on please."

He went on by telling her that Romi was suing him for defamation of character and other hideous allegations. He was also rattled by the fact that if he loses this job, he may not have enough money to support them. Sandra was his last recourse. She was supposed to give him 15% of whatever she earned. Now, he had no money and Billy might even kill him.

Terri looked straight into Michael's eyes.

"Papa…. I could be the asset."

"No baby…you don't know what you're saying. It's very dangerous," more tears in his eyes, "and you're still a baby."

"I wanna help."

"Raissa would kill me."

"She doesn't need to know…papa, you need me. You don't have any choice. You have fourteen other children and a wife to feed. Where are you going to get the money?"

"You don't know what you're saying."

"I know…. I know."

Michael embraced his child as tears flooded the room.

V

Inside a sleazy bar Michael entered with Terri. Terri looked at the horrible surroundings, but when one of the dancers was about to disrobe, Michael said, "Don't look at them."

Terri looked down.

Inside the office Terri was dumbfounded by the decorations. It was like an entirely new world. There were expensive paintings and a large aquarium full of different kinds of fish. There were also a lot of Lladro and Lalique figurines. The modern furniture made the room cozier. Terri ran out of words to describe it in her head.

A little while later a corpulent man entered the scene. He led to an inner office.

Billy was inside talking somebody over his cellular phone. He was laughing. He motioned Michael and Terri to sit down and the plump guy to go out. He did and closed the door behind him.

"Yes…Yes. Well, my protégé has brought an angel with him…Yes, I think she's the one…Uhuh…1-10? She's a twelve!" Turning the phone off he said, "Is she the asset?"

Michael was tongue-tied.

"Why aren't you sure? She's perfect! Lt. Ferguson's late wife has the same auburn hair and the same bluish-purple eyes."

"Rea…Really?" Michael asked stammering.

"Why are you so jittery?" Facing Terri he said, "Sandra, welcome to…"

"My name is Theresa."

"This is another one? I bet she's the better choice. What happened to Sandra?"

"She had a problem with her brother. He thought she was having an affair with me. The whole vicinity knows that I'm a married man with fifteen children."

"Well, is she the type that squeals?"

"No, but I wasn't able to retrieve the money that…"

"No prob…your choice is great!"

"I'm not sure."

Billy gets a picture from the drawer. It was Lt. Nick Ferguson and his wife.

"She's perfect, Michael…Look at that striking resemblance."

Michael was stunned, but Terri was smiling.

"He's handsome!"

"Terri!"

"Look papa, I can do it…I like to help."

"No wonder you're so edgy…she's your daughter…Sorry Terri…Michael's a friend and…"

"Mr. Di Angelo, he needs the money right now. He lost his day job and he needs to get another one. I have fifteen other siblings and he has a court case."

"Court case?"

"Sandra's brother sued me for stupid reasons…but baby!"

"Terri, I think your father's right. How old are you?"

"I'd be fifteen in a month."

"My goodness! That's way too young. I don't even condone the actions of pedophiles…it's not my business to push children to…"

"But I'm past the age that they want…Besides, I'm not to pose as a prostitute, right?"

Michael was fidgeting.

Billy looked straight into Terri's eyes. "Look, do you know what you're getting into? You're under eighteen! Your father has the right to refuse. You know what an asset is?

"I've read about them in books."

"Well, have you read about sex?"

Michael was pale.

"Yes."

"You know what it is?"

"Nobody is totally innocent in this place."

"But your family is Catholic."

"So is yours…and besides, we're in dire need of money. If he doesn't give Romi…that's Sandra's brother, the money tonight, he'll get my father killed. He's sort of a bully. He has men on his side. Well, he's nothing like you though, but…"

Billy stopped her.

"Look at your father. He seems to not like the idea."

"No father in his right mind would." She let her father face her. "Papa, I know Billy could protect you from Romi if you'd give me to him. That's how the game is played. He wouldn't touch you."

Billy's eyes widened.

"But I'd rather die than…"

"What about momma? What about my brothers and sisters? You could get killed. You could rot in the slammer. They could invent things and say you did them. Then there's no way out. But if you'd give me to Mr. Di Angelo he could protect you. I don't believe that he will protect you that much if you couldn't find an asset. He needs me too."

Billy was amazed.

"You're perfect! Where did you get your brains?" Facing Michael he said, "No offense."

"But baby…" Tears are in his eyes.

"Papa, listen! It's going to be all right. We'll pull this one though. I love you. Momma doesn't need to know."

Michael embraced Terri hard. Billy Di Angelo was full of glee.

VI

Billy read one of the stories Terri wrote. He gave her two thumbs up signs. One of his model friends, Nita, was teaching Terri the ropes that day. She embraced Terri.

Terri was a fast learner. Billy's men even taught her how to use a revolver.

Terri studied Nick Ferguson's different angles. Using a computer, she looked up everything about him.

On her fifteenth birthday the whole family ate together.

Raissa spoke first. "I'm so glad that your father has a new job now. At least we're living in a decent place now. I hated that neighborhood."

"The job is paying well. At least I get to use what I've learned in college. Raissa, all my promises to you will be fulfilled one day, you'd see."

"Just don't go fighting with your boss again."

"Promise."

Terri blew her candles and everybody clapped. They broke the news in a way of a fictional tale. Terri told her mother and siblings that she passed an examination for a boarding school and that everything was fully paid for. Everyone was ecstatic, but was filled with mixed emotions.

VII

Billy showed her around her apartment.

"It's so beautiful, Mr. Di Angelo."

"Nita designed the place. She copied it from Town and Country." He looked around.

"I think you're ripe for the picking. You have everything you need here…fake ids, a gun…everything."

"Will you be able to see everything?"

"No…cameras are too obvious for cops, but the place is wired."

He looked at her. God, she was beautiful. He pulled her close and brushed her lips lightly.

"Your lips are so tender. I'm sure he's going to love your kisses. I sure do envy him. I better go before I lose control….Terri, this really means a lot to me. The kiss and you being the asset."

"Thanks for everything…most especially the books."

He left not looking at her; for he knew what would happen if stayed another minute.

VIII

Terri's book was out in the market and it was being sold at Nick's favorite bookstore. The book caught the 6 foot 3 and athletic built Nick's eye. He looked at Terri's picture. It was as if his departed wife was alive again.

"I might melt. If you want to buy that one, I'm here to sign it just for you."

Nick was startled.

"I'm sorry…."

And that was the start of everything. They had espresso at the café across the street and Terri explained that she didn't have a book launching because she was a new writer. They talked about a lot of things and to cut a long story short, they ended up in bed.

Nick was so happy because he knew he received a precious gift from Terri. The morning after he asked her to marry him and as planned she accepted it. He loved Terri so much that he didn't question her when she pleaded that they were to stay in her apartment.

Ten months later, Nick Junior was born. They were so happy. Everything was like paradise for the two of them except for the fact that Nick couldn't catch Billy Di Angelo.

On Nick Junior's third birthday Nick was in front of the computer studying Billy Di Angelo. (By this time of course her mom and siblings know about Terri's "job". It almost gave Raissa a heart attack, but after explaining the situation, she calmed down, but she is still not talking to Michael.)

Terri entered the room.

"Hon, Nicky is about to blow his candles."

He didn't hear a word.

"Di Angelo again?"

"His boggles my mind."

"You have other cases and you're very successful."

"This is the one that matters. He has to rot in hell! He has let me lose my dignity in front of you and my colleagues!" He was crying.

"That's not true! For me, you're the best." In tears she stared at her husband trying to figure out how he could be Di Angelo. The solution was in her hands. Their second child, Ciara was inside a crib. She got her out of the crib then said, "Enough of that research…just take the baby, Nick." He was startled. The baby was sleeping. Terri didn't even need to get her. "Please Nick, take the baby." She puts a finger on his lips and points to the computer. He looks at Di Angelo's picture, and then was baffled. He faced her again. she got a pen and wrote down: Dearest Nick, First of all I want you to know that I love you …I wouldn't bear your children if I didn't. I don't know where to start…well…my family had a problem….. She wrote everything down. In between she told him to lull the baby to sleep. Aloud she said, "Honey, better forget about Di Angelo."

"Yes I will."

IX

Billy Di Angelo was with his friends that night. They were drinking beer.

"Terri is so brilliant!"

"And he's a fool."

They continued drinking. When they passed out, the cops arrived to raid them.

That was the end of the Billy Di Angelo's reign.

X

Nick was given special recognition and a promotion that was long delayed. Since Terri was now old enough, he asked her parents for her hand and they gladly gave it to him.