Page 34 of Great Pretender
“I’m sorry.”
Eighty thousand dollars… I don’t even think I have five hundred dollars in my bank account.
I have no savings. No money until payday. And this morning, I walked away from a million dollars.
“It’s… okay. I...”
I’m not breathing. I can’t. I can barely focus.
“I was able to get him an emergency grant based on his condition.But that will only cover three nights inpatient stay.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. We’re going to need a definitive payment plan in place by tomorrow for us to continue his treatment.”
“Okay, I understand. Can I see him?”
“Give us a few hours. I’ll call you when it’s okay to visit.”
“Alright.”
He dips his head for a polite nod and leaves us.
Elodie places her arms around me, and the tears come in waves.
“He didn’t tell me he was sick, Elodie,” Icry.
“I’m so sorry,” Elodiemutters.
I’msorry too.
* * *
“Piper,” Dad mutters as I rush to his bedside.
I’ve waited for three hours to see him, so I can’t help my dramatic, overzealous entrance.
I’m happy to finally see him, but looking at him is heartbreaking.He looks so weak, and the tubes attached to his wrists and nose highlight how serious his condition is.
“Dad, I’m so sorry,”I rasp, willing my tears away again.He’ll feel worse if he sees me crying.
“No, it’s me who is sorry.” He reaches for my hand and takes it.
There areso many things I want to ask him, but I won’t waste the time we have.The doctors gave me ten minutes because he needs to rest.
“I messed everything up. Now this,” headds.“Piper,I’m so ashamed ofmyself.I know how much this is going to cost, and I don’t want you to doanything.Idon’t.”
I shake my head at him. “You want me to let you die?”
“I want you to live. God knows what more you’ll have to do to get that money, and you’re already paying for myerrors.You suffered so much with your mother. I never wanted you to go through itagain.”
“Dad,I won’t lose you. I’ll get themoney.”
“No,I—”
“I mean it, Dad. I will get the money.Please, just focus on gettingbetter.”
I would be a fool to think of pride at a time likethis.
