I pulled myself together by telling myself it was supposed to be this way; this was the only chance I would have of redeeming myself in some small way.

"I'm here. Yes, I'm in New York, but, ummm, Tommy, I need help."

"Tell me where you are," he replied. "I could come up or..."

"Tommy, I need four hundred dollars wired to me," I blurted out.

"What?" Tommy exclaimed. "You're calling me for money? Are you fucking kidding me?"

"Tommy, please, listen to me!" I cursed at myself for saying it so quickly. My mind was starting to go the way of my body.

"And I thought you were a...