Page 85 of Enthrall
“They didn’t cash it.”
“Did you call them?”
“Yes,” she said, ‘But they went on about special grants and considerations and stuff like that. Quite frankly they lost me. Would you give them a call?”
“Of course,” I said. “I’ll call them as soon as I get home. What exactly did they say?”
“It didn’t make any sense. Something about my account being closed.”
This couldn’t be happening. Had I messed up? I had been a little distracted lately. Ignoring this gut wrenching fear, I ran through a mental checklist of the last few payments I’d made. I’d only been late once but the billing department had given me an extra week to get the payment to them. Which I’d done.
“Please don’t let it worry you, dear,” said Lorraine. “It’s probably me.”
“I’ll look into it. I have the money.”
“I’ve heard of insurance companies cutting you off. I hope to God they don’t do that to me.”
“Please don’t worry yourself over this. I’ve got it.”
“You’re such a good daughter, Mia. I don’t deserve you.”
“Nonsense. I’m the lucky one.”
“Don’t let L.A. ruin my sweet, beautiful Mia.” She kissed into the phone and hung up.
I stared at my cell knowing I could never share with her my place of employment, or even the fact that the man who I worked for, the man who consumed my every waking thought, specialized in ruination.
And I’d fallen head over heels in love with him.
A WARM BUBBLE BATH awaited me.
I’d taken Cameron’s words to heart. “It’s time to forgive yourself,” and had even promised to try and be a little kinder to myself.
I decided to enjoy some luxuries that I’d never allowed myself before, such as taking this bath. I never made the time, I suppose. Firstly, I needed to get this call to Blue West Medical Insurance out of the way. I sat on the edge of my bed with my iPhone pressed to my ear, on hold with yet another adjuster who’d passed me along to yet another department. My bath water was getting cold.
“Ms. Lauren?” came a friendly female voice on the line.
“Yes,” I said, fearing the call might drop and I’d have to start over.
“I’m Karen Allen. Sorry for the wait. I have your mother’s claim here,” she said, her voice peppy. “Looks like the bills are all paid up.”
“That’s just it,” I said. “You returned my last check. I mean the one my step-mom sent in.”
“She overpaid on the account,” said Karen.
“I have a copy of the main bill right here. I still owe you guys thirty-four thousand dollars.” My throat tightened, having never before spoken the amount out loud.
“Ms. Lauren, you’re all paid up.”
“No, the last payment was only for six hundred dollars. You know, as part of that payment plan you set me up on.”
“The balance on the account is at zero,” said Karen firmly.
I could hear her clicking away on a keyboard.
This was getting frustrating. Clearly she was not getting the issue.
“Mrs. Lorraine Granger is my step-mom’s name,” I clarified. “We don’t have the same last name.”
