Kingdom Come Undone

Best Laid Plans - Part 2

My loneliness subsided the moment I pulled up to Carter's house, and all I could see through the windows was Jacob peering around the corner waiting for my car. He turned his head around presumably to shout to his dad before the door flew open. I raced to step out of the driver's seat quickly enough to catch him in my arms, wrapping one arm around his back as I flung his legs through the air in a spin.

"Hi buddy!" I kissed the side of his head before setting him down.

"E, we get to spen duh day togever."

I waved at Carter who was walking outside as I replied, "We sure do! I can't wait to catch up with you! It's been weeks!"

"Hey Emily!" Carter waved back, passing an envelope my way, "Here's his insurance card and our Health Savings card. There should be more than enough for the appointment and anything he may need. Feel free to add-on whatever they recommend. We want to completely rule out or in his vision for Thursday."

"Sounds perfect; I totally understand. And we are meeting you at the airport at 2, correct?"

He nodded, "Yep. Would you like me to take your bag from you? That way you and Bug are riding there without any luggage in the Uber?"

"Really?" I looked over my shoulder while walking toward the trunk, "I would really appreciate that."

"Yeah, of course. Just make sure he gets lunch before we meet up."

"Will do. Thanks for allowing me to pick up the slack on this, Carter. We're going to do a great job today, aren't we J?" I asked as Jacob was already dragging me around the car toward his seat.

"Wet's go, Emlee!"

I laughed, waving over the car toward Carter as he climbed in to his booster seat. "One more time. Tongue to teeth, J."

"Let's go!" I reached out to brush his hair back and forth in acknowledgment before running around to the front seat for us to start the day.

We entered the optometrist 10 minutes early as Jacob quickly ran toward the kid's section to watch the movie playing in the background while I walked to the front desk.

"Hi. We have an appointment for Jacob Schoen at 11."

The receptionist nodded, while browsing her computer, "Yes. First time in, correct?"

"Yes, ma'am." I replied, looking over my shoulder to make sure he was still behaving himself a room away.

"Perfect. We will need his insurance card as well as your driver's license."

"Mine?" I asked, pulling out my wallet to comply.

She glanced up at me with some concern, "Yes? We need his parent's information for the insurance records."

"Oh. He's not on my insurance." I looked around, suddenly apprehensive. I had been here before at Jacob's school; I had felt ostracized and separated when all I wanted was to help.

"He is your son though?" She stood up, looking at me closer as I tucked my hands behind my back.

I had been given one task. I had to figure this out, and so without thinking twice, I spun the silver ring usually kept on my right hand off into my palm. And then as swiftly as possible, I switched hands and slid the ring onto my left hand before resting them both onto the counter.

"Step son. The insurance... it's my wife's."

The receptionist took a step back, "Alright." I exhaled, "Do you all have a medical agreement for bringing him to the doctor? Otherwise, it can be seen as a HIPAA violation."