The Carmichael Sunshine

Chapter 4

*Author note: Please note, all translations were done via the internet, so please forgive me if they're incorrect! Until I can get a real editor, this is the best I can do. Enjoy :)

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A few days later Connor was taking a virtual meeting with some associates, so I had some time to myself. My stomach dropped when I saw a missed call on my phone from Haven and I immediately called them back, thinking the worst. A therapist once told me I was a 'disaster thinker.'

"Ms. Morales, this is Carol Darington from Haven, thank you for returning my call," the woman said sternly on the phone. Carol Darington worked in the billings department. My heart stopped. "I wanted to give you a call and let you know that starting May first we'll be upping our living fees for the independent living unit."

I gripped my phone harder, tears instantly pricking my eyes.

"Um, May 1st...right. How much?"

"The new total for your dad will be..." she sounded like she was wrestling with some papers, "$3,500."

"That's 700 dollars more than I pay now," I whimpered, my voice panicked. I couldn't pull that. "Are you sure?"

"Given the demand here, we needed to up our prices to pay the ever-growing employee pool. I'm sure you understand."

Did I?

I swallowed, running my hand through my hair.

It was the best facility in the state. My dad's retirement money paid for $1,300, but the rest was up to me. I was paying $1,500 a month for him now. Soon I'd be paying $700 more. I had to figure out a way to pay for that, along with my bills and student loans.

Or I'd have to find him somewhere else to go.

He was acclimated there.

"How many more times should I be expecting your prices to go up, Ms. Darington?" I asked bitterly.

"This will be the last increase for the next 24 months, I assure you."

"Great," I replied angrily.

"Will the increase be a problem?"

"Not at all."

"Excellent. May 1st you'll notice the change on your bill."

"Thank you so much."

I hung up my phone.

"FUCK!" I shouted, throwing it down on the kitchen table, running my hands through my hair.

Calm. Collected. Positive.

Deep breaths. Calm.

I could pick up a few shifts a week at Scarlet's. Collected.

My dad was getting the best care in the state. Positive.

Why wasn't it preventing me from sobbing? I bent over the table, trying to contain my tears, but they wouldn't stop.

This was my dad's wish. He didn't want me to have to take care of him. But I wasn't sure how much longer I could spread myself so thin. Something would have to give at some point. I wiped my tears away with the back of my hand, trying to breathe. In and out. In and out.