A Debt Transformed

The clinic's fluorescent glare did nothing to warm Alessio’s bones. Clutching a battered envelope, he shoved past two orderlies and breached the administrative office.

Doctor Aldo flinched behind his desk. "Signor Ferraro, you're early."

Alessio tossed the meager stack of cash onto the polished wood.

"Take it," Alessio demanded. "It doesn't cover the whole tab, but it buys the next round of che