Beware The Water

Charity Case

Working at the hospital was an easy gig. At least that's what Lux thought when she first got the job. Clerical work wasn't hard to do and she learned how to schedule appointments rather quickly. What she didn't expect was seeing how much families struggled when it came to taking care of their sick child, and how much getting them aid would cost.

It broke her heart hearing them talk about how they're going to pay off a bill or afford their kids medicine. Or learning that the hospital didn't take their insurance so they'd have to go to a local emergency room instead, despite the child's declining health. She was grateful for never having to break that type of news...

"I'm sorry but the insurance isn't going to cover the new meds that the doctor prescribed for your daughter." Lux stated, scrolling through the doctor's notes. She could see the tears in the young mother's eyes. She must have been in her early twenties. Seeing that the father wasn't with her gave Lux the impression that he was absent from the picture.

The young girl was pale with light freckles going over her nose and extending out across her cheeks. Her greasy black hair fell past her shoulders that were discolored with old bruises that trailed down her arms. The purple markings matched the color of the bags beneath her tired eyes from having to stay up for days to monitor her daughter's health. She sniffled, rubbing the side of her arm with a boney, shaking hand. "Is there anything over the counter that I could buy for her instead?" She asked, knowing she wasn't going to be able to afford whatever the doctor prescribed.

Lux's mouth faltered into a sad frown that she quickly had to pick back up as she spoke. "There aren't any over the counter medications for seizures."

The girls shoulders slumped forward and plopped her face into her cupped hands. "So what do I do?" The helpless words muffled into her palms. She was only twenty one with a five year old daughter and was scraping by in whatever way she could to earn extra money to provide. She'd sell herself when she was desperate for cash or a quick fix to calm her nerves, and she'd work long hours at a diner for some legit income, which also went to paying someone to babysit just so she could keep the job. Regardless of her flaws, the mother loved her child and would do anything to try and keep her healthy.

"I can print you an itemized receipt. I suggest for patients to ask for one because places like these will charge plenty for just taking someone's temperature. It's a way to get costs knocked off. The hospital has payment plans that we can set you up on to cover the remainder of the stay. If you opt to pay in cash then you do get a discount." Lux pulled out a pamphlet from the drawer and slid it over to the mom who skimmed through all the bullshit ways to "help" the less fortunate. "We could also try to get you into a program that could help pay for-"

"You don't get it do you?" The young mom slammed the pamphlet down, making Lux flinch. "Do you have kids?" She asked.

"No. I don't."

"So you wouldn't understand what I'm going through. You wouldn't know how to help me." She took a step back and nervously bit her already chewed up thumb nail that was on the brink of bleeding. "Even with all this shit, I still can't afford it."

Lux tried to relate but the reality was that she couldn't. Struggling to be provided for was never a personal experience of hers. If she could pay for this strangers things then she would. "Is there anyone that can help you?"

"Her dad sends me money every few weeks to help out. I mainly put it towards house bills now." She explained, feeling ashamed and embarrassed about her situation. "I can't ask him for more money. She's my daughter. My responsibility."

"He's the father. You share that responsibility." Lux printed out the receipt and stapled the pamphlet to it. "Here." She held it out. "I'll see if there's any other type of strings I can pull to help. In the mean time I do think it's best to call her dad. Doesn't hurt to try."