A Pound Of Flesh

“The operation your mother requires is not covered by her insurance provider. The total cost for the procedure she needs would be $386,795.68,” the Nurse informed Carolina, looking up from the clipboard that held her mother's billing information.

 It took everything in her not to yell, curse, or break down in the lobby of her mother's Doctor's Office. The amount of money the Nurse had just quoted her was gargantuan, and saying it aloud only made it seem more daunting to her. Where would she come up with that amount of money in such a short amount of time? She was a full-time student at a University forty-five minutes away. With everything that had been going on with her mother's steadily declining health, she was barely passing her classes.

She had missed several in-class assignments and was having problems submitting all of her homework assignments on time. Last year she had been sure that she would be graduating early with a degree in business but now, it was becoming a more and more distant reality. She had moved out of her loft apartment six months ago and back home into her old bedroom in her childhood home. The decision had been made suddenly and without hesitation. 

Carolina had come home from school for Spring Break and found her mother unconscious only a few moments after arriving home. This was the fourth time she had found her mother in that condition. She could no longer ignore her mother's rapidly declining health. Her mother's health insurance only covered her at-home care once a week for approximately three hours. The home Aides they usually sent were unqualified or lazy.

Her mother had needed care just about every day for the past few months. They had also been stretching her pain medication as well as antibiotics. Sometimes not taking the full dosage or filling the prescription because they couldn’t cover the cost. Just one bottle of her mother's medication cost $300.00. Carolina had tried to quit school and assist her mother financially, but she would take no part in it.

She wanted her to focus on school. It had become hard for her to watch her mother in this unhealthy state. She had found it easier to cry in public restrooms or late at night in her room so her mother wouldn't worry. 

“It also looks like your mother’s insurance didn’t pay for this visit today, or the last,” the Nurse politely informed her.

“What! Why weren’t we informed before her appointment?” She asked annoyed.

“I’m not sure. I’m so sorry.” The Nurse apologized, hearing the annoyance in Carolina's voice.

There was nothing Carolina could do, except pay it. Her mother didn't need any more debt and she enjoyed visiting this Doctor.

“How much is it?”

The Nurse walked behind the front desk and typed some information into her computer. Seconds later, an invoice came out of the printer. She showed it to Carolina.

“For the last visit, it was $265.00. This visit is $180.00. That brings it to $445.00.”

Carolina pulled out her American Express card. 

The nurse took it. 

She prayed it would go through. She had been using it every day for the last three months. 

She had to find a real source of income, she thought to herself. Something that could pay all of her mother’s medical bills, put food on the table, and help her pay for school. The Nurse handed her credit card back to her as another one wheeled her mother out into the lobby. 

Her mother smiled at her. She looked weak but always managed to smile for Carolina. It always made her feel a little better. Her mother's smile had always gotten her through the worst times in her life. She knew it would now as well. 

“Hey, Carolina," the Nurse beamed at her as she wheeled her mother in her direction. She stopped when she was a few feet in front of her.

"Hello, Nurse Mitchell,” Carolina replied back.

The nurse let go of her mother’s wheelchair and Carolina took a hold of the handles then. 

Nurse Mitchell gently rested her hand on her mother’s shoulder and gave it a comforting squeeze.

“See you next week, Mrs. Hilden.”

“Yes, Dear. Tell Doctor Roberts, ‘Thank you’ for me.”

“Yes, ma'am. I will be sure to do so.” She waved goodbye one last time, stretched her badge to the black square on the left side of the door. It beeped. The door unlocked, and she entered. Carolina wheeled her mother out of the Doctor’s office...