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HILL HOUSE, FLASHBACK
Millie was late to the one thing she needed to be early for. She'd underestimated how long the walk from her work to the rehab centre was, and she was fifteen minutes late for her meeting with Shirley and Steve. Camille dashed into the building, ignoring the odd gazes from the workers, and kept up her semi-sprint until she found the right room. She stood in front of the door and hurriedly pulled her inhaler from her purse, taking a few breaths from the device.
Camille tried to regulate her breathing and smooth down her windblown hair before walking into the room. As she opened the door, three pairs of eyes were looking in her direction, causing her face to flush.
"I'm really, really sorry for being late," she heaved as she took the only available seat between Steve and Shirley. "I didn't think it would take so long to walk over here, I'm-"
"Millie," Steve softly interrupted her rambling with a small smile. "It's alright."
Camille smiled back and took in a breath. She looked over to Shirley, who was looking at everything except her. Apparently, the older girl wasn't ready to make up just yet.
"We were just discussing Luke's insurance" the worker started. "Miss Chastain, on the phone you said he had insurance?"
Camille nodded and furrowed her brows. "Yes, I- well, I thought so."
"He told us so," Shirley rang in.
"This morning, we tried to get Luke's info and it lasped a few months back."
"He- he didn't tell us that."
The worker sighed before smiling. "It happens all the time, I'm afraid, especially with the first-timers."
"We can still do this," Shirley replied. "We're just going to split the cost. He needs to be here."
She looked at Camille and Steve, and the two nodded in agreement.
"Without the insurance policy, it's $6,000 a month. And we do recommend a four-to-six month commitment."
All three of them took in a sharp breath. Neither of them were expecting to pay that much. Camille shut her eyes and sighed. Her and Luke had so many plans for after he got out of rehab: they wanted to move, and build their own house a few miles out of the city. It was going to be hard enough, since she was going to be the only one working for some time; and paying $6,000 a month wasn't going to make it any easier.
"I'm sorry," Shirley said, shaking her head lightly. "Did you say $6,000?"
The worker nodded. "A month, yes."
"And obviously, if he had insurance, it would be in the ballpark of what we discussed on the phone?" Camille asked.
And the worker nodded again. "Yes, but if his policy has lapsed..."
