Authors: G.V. Steitz
Chapter 8~Emma
I walk into the care facility to see my dad again. With nothing else to do, I turned my phone off Friday. I didn’t want any surprise calls. So no texts either. I looked at my email yesterday, seeing a couple from Matthew. I didn’t bother reading them. What’s the point? Really. I mean I am the polar opposite of what he probably looks for or dates or sleeps with for that matter. No chance of him and me hooking up. No matter how much I pray.
I walk into dad
’s room, immediately panicking…
I run to the nurse
’s station.
Where is my dad Lizzy?
” I ask the nurse on call. She knows me quite well.
“
Hi there, lucky girl. Your dad was moved to another room. Everything ok?” She says looking over her selection of donuts someone brought in.
“
Where? What room? Why was he switched?” I ask, getting nervous. Maybe his health took a turn for the worse. Oh God please not that.
“
No no no… Some man came into see him yesterday, right after you left in fact. I guess he knows quite a few important people. So you dad is getting private care now.” She says looking up from her computer screen.
“
WHAT, I can’t afford that, and his insurance doesn’t pay for that luxury either.” I try to say without screaming as I feel an anxiety attack coming up to put me in full throttle craziness.
I get the info on his new assigned room and take myself down to a different floor. I walk out of the elevator and my mouth dropped.
“Holy Shit.” I whispered. This place smells nice, which is a shock. The rooms all have like real front doors on them. Including small mailboxes on the wall, the doors have peep holes, door knockers and a door bell? There is some mix up here.
I woman comes over and asks if I need help finding someone. I tell her who I am and my father
’s name and she gets all excited for some strange reason.
“
Emma, it’s so nice to meet you. You father arrived here this morning. What a doll he is too.” She says as she does a pretend clap with her hands without making the clapping noise. Ok, clearly this one drinks on the job is the first thing I think of. Yeah I am sure they had a damn parade for my father’s arrival. Geez. “Ok, so can you point in the direction for me? I am pretty sure this is some huge mistake and I am afraid this this place,” I say looking around flying my hands in the air all over,” “I mean, don’t get me wrong, it’s beautiful. But we can’t afford this. And his supplemental won’t cover something this nice.” I finish and she is looking at me like I only speak like the Charlie Brown teacher on those classic holiday cartoons.
“
Ok, well my name is Diane. And your father is most certainly in the right place. He knows some pretty important people Ms. Evans, I mean Emma.” She quickly corrects herself since I only introduced myself as Emma.
“
Now, John is his personal nurse and assistant. He is here for ten hour shifts. After which when he leaves and your father needs anything we have round the clock nurses here. Three meals are served a day. In his suite or in the dining room, which ever he chooses.” Diane the delusional nurse person explains to me.
“
His suite?” I ask.
“
Yep. We don’t under staff on this floor either. There is one nurse per two guests here. And we are funded by private insurance only.” She explains.
“
Yeah, well that is where the problem comes in. He has only Medicare and supplemental and that’s it. We can’t afford this.” I explain.
“
Well, your father’s important friends have already cleared up his entire bill with our facility. And this is under a new private health insurance company that requires him no out of pocket expense. The balance before he came to this floor was also taken care of as well.” She says. “Now your father is in suite #114. Here is your key. Your father, you, John and our staff are the only ones allowed to keep a set of keys. John was hired by your father’s new private insurance company as well and is being paid through that company as well. So you have nothing to worry about. John was also privately interviewed as well as had taken all necessary tests and back ground checks to ensure your fathers safety and wellness is concern while he is staying with us here.” She finishes.
I take the key, not having anything more to say to Diane, I think I will find out the rest of this story my dad.
I get to his door, laughing, I know Diane said John was taking care of his needs today until 7pm, so I figured I would ring his door bell.
This very large, line backer build black man came to the door.
“Good Morning Ms. Emma. I am so pleased to meet you today. Please come in. Your father is going to be so happy to see you.” John is so pleasant. Beautiful warm smile, Very nice to talk to I would bet. I look around and yep this is looking like a suite. Little kitchenette, a small foyer with a little sitting room. A dining room with a round table, four chairs and even a living room, WITH A FIREPLACE and windows! I just look around dragging my chin with me. “This must be some sick joke or huge misunderstanding John. We can’t afford this. I’m really sorry.” I explain, holding back tears fighting to come out.
“
Ms. Emma, there is absolutely nothing for you to worry about. Everything is already taken care of. Your father seems a great deal happier here in a private suite and is resting in his bedroom. If you care to go in, I know he will be so happy to see you.” John explains.
“
PRIVATE SUITE? You mean he doesn’t share this with at least 3 other people?” I ask, trying not to get upset with John. This big mess isn’t his fault.
“
Yes Miss. Private. He has two bedrooms here. I can stay anytime you or your father feels he needs more attention. For right now your father feels ten hours is sufficient. I can move in or spend a few nights here if you like. Whatever you decide, your father has my personal file. I have had all of my testing done. I was personally hired for your father’s specific needs. You can review the file. Please let me know if you have any further questions you need answered for your peace of mind.” John tells me as he leads me to my father’s bedroom.
I thank him and John taps on his door. Mr. Evans your daughter is here to see you sir.
” He says politely. I just stare at him. “Sir?” I say out loud. “Yes. Ms. Evans.” Is all John says in reply?
“
Yes, please come in Emma.” I hear my father chirp.
I walk in and
“What the hell?” I say out loud.
“
Dad, what is going on? You know we can’t afford this. What is all this?” I motion with my hands waving around the air.
My dad laughs out loud. He actually looks younger. Happier, healthier, in fact.
“Sweetie, you have the most wonderful friend I have ever known!” He beams. And right there, I know who he is talking about. I fold my arms over my chest. “Really, and whom might that be dad?” I ask dramatically.
“
That wonderful young man, Matthew Daniels, He really found some loop holes we were never aware of in our insurance. Look what he was able to do for us with a few contacts he had.” My father explains. I cannot believe he actually bought that line of crap Matthew gave him. I know, full well, that there isn’t a hole in anything we have for insurance for my father’s healthcare. Who does he think goes over the entire fine print? “Uh-huh. I see. And is that what he told you?” I ask looking upset at my father.
He nods back to me like a child caught lying and won
’t admit it. Making my lips twitch a little. “Yep, he told that the insurance over looked a few different options we had, and that since they screwed up royally they took care of the past due on the insurance we owe in co-pays and this place is covered 100%! Can you believe it Emma, I mean really, isn’t this almost too good to be true?” He beams.
“
Yeah… Almost…” I respond.
“
Look what he brought me yesterday; you just missed him when he arrived. I am surprised you didn’t run into each other.” My father says with a laugh, pushing his new toy in my hands.
“
WHAT THE HELL IS THIS DAD?” I yell at him.
“
Sweetie it’s called an IPAD. And it has the internet and games, look it even has a place to take pictu…” He explains the some features before I cut him off.
“
Yeah, Dad, I know what it does. Those are really expensive. Matthew gave you that? For a gift?” I ask in shock and anger towards Matthew. Son of a bitch! That dirty rat bastard is not playing fair. What the hell am I going to have to do for all this now? Sell my soul to the devil? I ponder all this as I hand my dad back his new prized possession.
“
Ok, so I will make sure with Daniel on all this. Don’t go getting all excited yet dad. I don’t want you to feel let down if this is all a mistake.” I try to calmly explain.
Dad laughs like he never heard anything so funny.
“Yeah he told me you would insist on something like that. He really has you figured out. Sweetheart.”
Then I hear John knocking on the door, opening it a crack.
“Sir, Mr. Daniels is here to see you, shall I show him in or do you need some private time with your daughter?” He asks my father.
“
God no, please John, show in Mr. Daniels. I am sure my daughter would love to thank him personally.” he says back to John looking towards me with a smile, I reply with a tight smile that is completely fake on my face back. “This should be good.” I ground out through my clenched teeth smile.
Matthew walks in, surprised to see me? I don
’t think so. “Ah, Tom, how are you doing today? You look much better than the state I left you in yesterday. Everything up to par for your liking here?” He asks, while shaking my father’s hand. Matthew looks up over to me and winks.
I keep my arms crossed over my chest, roll my eyes and huff out a held breath.
“My God, Matthew, this place is amazing! I had no idea they had such a facility in this place. I am so grateful for your contacts. Is there anything I can do to repay you? I mean you really went all out to finding everything you could through your contacts.” My dad says to him.
Matthew shakes his head. “Nope I don’t need a thing Tom; I am just glad I was able to get that information straightened out for you and make the necessary calls to get your situation taken care of.” He responds standing back up, too near beside me.
“
You know my daughter Emma of course. She just arrived a short time ago. I am glad she was able to be here when you came over here.” My dad says while they both look over to me.
I am positive my face is full on raging red color to go with the steam coming out of my ears I am so mad. I throw out my fake smile.
“May I have a word with you privately Matthew please?” I slowly ask in a tone I am sure he can sense is curt and not too thrilled at best.
“
Of course Emma, I would be thrilled. Care to talk in your father’s room here or out in his living room?” He asks with a smirk on his face.
“You two kids go talk. I am busy here making my profile on face book” my father says paying no attention to us waving us off.
“
Two kids? Really dad…” I respond walking out of his bedroom, not waiting for Matthew. I can hear he is close behind and chuckling.
We get out in the living room, and I whip myself around and glare at him. Matthew, looking sexy as all hell, naturally. Jerk. His hands shoved in his pockets of his dress slacks. He is wearing a white dress shirt, opened at the neck, no tie. Focus Emma
…
“
What in the HELL is all this?” I growl out to him. I flap my arms around like a bird trying to take off.
“
Emma, look, this… this is nothing. Let’s just keep this between us ok? Your father is a proud man. He will be crushed if he finds out anyone is helping either of you for that matter. I went to say hello yesterday. There was no way I couldn’t do something for him. Look how much better he looks today; do you really want to stick him back on that floor he was barely staying alive in? Come on. Let it go. Let me enjoy helping your dad out with just a couple details.” He says as he walks closer to stand in front of me. My fists are balled up on either side of me.
“
Matthew, a couple details? Thiiis, all thiiiis is NOT a COUPLE DETAILS! What are you expecting in return from me? If you think I am going to submit to being your sex slave, you, Mr. have another thing coming!” I yell out making sure to jab my finger into his hard muscular chest with every word I said after “Mr.”
God, how I wanted to just run my hands across his chest, instead of poking him. But I needed to touch him.
“Look, you don’t need to worry about giving yourself over to me. Unless you want to do, that is.” He says twitching his mouth trying and failing at keeping a smile from his face.
“
You may have won this round Mr. Daniels, but you haven’t won the war!” I said. Stomping off to say good bye to my father before I start punching him, Not that I would probably leave any marks or even hurt him, but still… I need to get away. Fast before I cry or kiss him or… Shit. I have to get out of here.