Ethan was sitting on the floor playing with Patches while his escort from the night before slept when a call came into his room. He got up and walked over to the phone, the tiny calico pounced and batted at his feet as he walked to answer the phone. 

“Hello sir,” A pleasant female voice on the other end said, “There is a mister Michael Brown here to see you.” 

“About damn time,” Ethan said with impatience in his voice. “Send him up.” 

Ethan knew he didn’t have time to properly shower, so he just threw on some pants and a shirt, not bothering to button it up at all.  He left the escort asleep on the bed, and he met Michael at the door, leaning against the door frame.  When he saw the older gentleman approach he walked up to meet him, extending his hand. “About damn time Michael, I’ve been here forever.  I had to be social with the locals you know!”
Michael laughed and shook Ethan’s hand.  “Sorry Ethan, had some unexpected issues in the business that required my immediate attention. Let's get into your room so we can speak a little more privately.”

As the two walked back into Ethan’s room, his escort woke up and rubbed her eyes as she stumbled into the living area right as Ethan and Michael sat down.  Michael gave a questioning glance towards Ethan, “I had no idea you had  a guest Ethan, are you going to introduce me to your lady friend here?”  Michael gave the escort a cordial smile and held his hand out to her. 

Ethan gave Michael a coy grin, “Her name is Candi.”  He leaned in towards the older gentleman, “That’s Candy with an I by the way.” 

“ETHAN!?”  Michael said shocked, “Are you saying she’s a…”

“Whore?” Ethan finished, “Yes, yes she is.”

Candi sauntered up to Michael and sat next to him, and leaned in close, “Hey handsome. You a friend of Eli’s here?  Maybe you’d like some company later tonight?” 

Ethan grinned at Michael, “She’s worth every penny, I can assure you.  You look a little stressed, she might do you some good old man.”   

The look Michael gave Ethan, let the young man know it was best to drop it, and he quickly escorted the woman out the door and paid her for her services.  When he got back in, he sat across from Michael. “Ethan, I can’t believe… you’d hire a pro skirt.  Can’t… you just find a nice young lady?” 

That comment brought fire to Ethan’s eyes, and he glared at Michael. “You have NO RIGHT, to tell me that I need to find a nice young lady.”  He repeated those last few words in a sarcastic manner, “I HAD a nice young lady.  One I planned on marrying, and talking with you to get a job so I could support her…. But YOUR ARROGANT ASS… STOOOOLE that from me.”   The loathing in Ethan’s tone was thick as he spoke. 

Michael looked away from the young man, “You’re right Ethan, my own hubris and self-centered nature stole that from you. I can’t give you that life back, I can’t give you that time back.  But my point still stands.  You’re a good man Ethan, you can do better than street girls, you deserve better.” 

“Meh.” Ethan waved his hand in front of his face.  “Prostitutes are easier.  Know what you’re getting into with them. Know how much it’s going to cost.  There’s no dates, no need to impress, hell I don’t even have to worry about whether the woman enjoys herself or not.  She’s just there to provide a service.” 

Michael sighed, but he wasn’t going to push the issue with Ethan.  “I can see your point, can’t say I agree with it, but I do understand your point of view.”  

The two sat in a long and uncomfortable silence. Michael had no idea how to safely bring up the death of Ethan’s parents, and Ethan was still visibly annoyed with Michael about telling him to find a nice woman.  Finally, the older man did break the silence,  “Ethan I am so sorry about Ernest and Martha.  Your parents were good people; honest, hard-working people.  They deserve better than the fate that became them. Is there really nothing left of the farm?” 

Ethan shook his head, “Nothing… it’s all, just gone.”  His voice was barely more than a somber whisper. 

“Ethan… What the?”  Michael was interrupted by the bump of a small kitten hitting and rubbing against his legs.

The action made Ethan laugh without him really wanting to. “Well Michael, I lied.  Patches here, is the only thing that remains of mom and dad’s farm.  Found little Patches just inside the wooded property, she was so tiny and the injuries… I wasn’t sure she was going to make it.  She’s made a pretty good recovery though, haven’t you girl?”  Ethan said as he looked down at the tiny calico, who gave him a lively mew that sounded more like a squeak in response. 

As he bent over Michael chuckled and gave the tiny cat a few scratches behind her ears and under her chin. “I’m glad you have her at least.” He glanced at his watch as he sat back up and winced.  He didn’t intend for things to take so long to get to this point. “Ethan, I don’t have much time before I need to hop a plane back to New York.  I am sorry son, I wanted to at least share a drink with you.  No one should have to mourn the loss of a loved one alone, and my careless thinking ruined that for you as well.  Perhaps I really am a monster.  I know you’ve lost everything, your blood family, your ‘other’ family.   I’m not stupid Ethan, I’m not a fool to know how you gained such wealth and power so quickly.  But perhaps, I can at least help you to get back on the right path.  My cousin Taylor, he runs an outfit out of Detroit… he could use some good guys like yourself.  I’ve already put in a good word for you.   Just head here.”  Michael handed Ethan a business card, “Tell them you’re looking for Taylor, and that his cousin Michael sent you. Should be enough to get you through the door.”

Michael stood up as he finished talking, and Ethan stood with him.  The two walked to the door of the hotel room, and Ethan held out his hand to Michael's surprise. “Thank you, sir. For the help.  Sorry to go off on you like that… I have found I’ve got a short fuse lately.” 

“Don’t worry about it kid.  Just take care of yourself, and that kitten of yours.”  Michael let go of Ethan’s hand and continued to make his way out of the hotel.  Ethan himself spent only one more night in Las Vegas before packing his bags and trying his luck in Detroit with whoever this Taylor Brown guy was.