“Because I’m your sweet pea.” Madison’s eyes had gone glassy and a little smile played at the corners of her mouth. “Right?”
“That’s exactly right,” Grady said.
A nurse adjusted something on the IV pole. “Pain meds are kicking in now. Doctor will be in soon.”
Madison turned her gaze toward me. “Mommy, you won’t leave, will you?”
“I’ll be here every second.” I smoothed her hair back. There was dirt on her cheek from the playground.
Madison looked at Grady again. “Will you stay?”
“I’m not going anywhere,” he said.
Her good hand let go of mine and reached for his. He caught it with both of his and held on.
Tears flooded my eyes. I turned away so Madison wouldn’t see me crying. I tugged a tissue from a box on the table and wiped my eyes.
The doctor came in—a woman in her forties with kind eyes and purple scrubs. She clipped X-rays onto a light board on the wall.
“Madison’s got two fractures,” she said, pointing. “Here at the radius, and here closer to the wrist. We’re going to need to do surgery—put in some pins to make sure everything heals straight.”
“Surgery? Is that really necessary?” I asked.
“It’s routine. She’ll be under general anesthesia for about an hour. Orthopedic surgeon is on his way. We’ll get her prepped and upstairs as soon as we can.”
Madison squeaked.
“You’ll be asleep the whole time,” I told her. “You won’t feel anything.”
“And I’ll bring you ice cream,” Grady said. “Strawberry.”
“That’s my favorite,” Madison said, sounding a bit like a sorority girl after an all night party.
The doctor cleared her throat, clearly impatient to get things moving along. “Someone will be in with consent forms.”
She left. Madison closed her eyes, the pain medication pulling her under.
“Thank God for pain meds,” Grady said, sounding as shaky as I felt.
A woman in business casual appeared with a tablet. “Ms. Taylor? I’m Angela from Patient Financial Services. I need to go over some information with you before we can proceed with surgery.”
My stomach dropped.
She tapped on the screen. “Your insurance shows a ten-thousand-dollar deductible. Ambulance transport, emergencyroom, surgery, anesthesia, hospital stay—we’re looking at anywhere from fifteen to twenty thousand total. You’ll be responsible for the first ten thousand before insurance coverage begins.”
Ten thousand dollars.
I stared at her.
“We can set up a payment plan if you need to,” Angela said. “Or if you have a credit card?—”
“I don’t—” My voice came out thin. “Can I have a minute?”
“Of course. I’ll be at the desk when you’re ready.” She left.
The room felt smaller. Fluorescent lights hummed overhead. Madison’s heart monitor beeped steadily.
Ten thousand dollars.
