Chapter One: I'm Willing To Assist You

Makenzie Isabella

"What is the cost of these?" I questioned the cashier as I set down the basket containing liquids, including juice, water, and electrolyte-rich beverages like coconut water. 

Not that I was unaware of the cost of each item, but occasionally, the prices would fluctuate at the same time.

These were a few of the dengue fever treatments, and ever since my mother was hospitalized for the illness, I have eaten this every day. It hurts me sometimes that I had to spend all of my hard-earned money on it. 

Having a father who doesn't care if my mother was dying or not. All he wanted was a life of financial gain and gambling, constantly drinking to a stupor.

Even as a recent graduate, my dream job would be in business administration for a large corporation, but as they say. It is what it is.

He would often make monotonous comments on how unlucky he was to have me. And how he Dissipated his money on my schooling. 

Clara, the cashier, uttered "Ma'am, but you paid the standard price for the item just last week," I smiled awkwardly at her response.

It was evident that she had been observing my every move within the convenience store. I had no other option because this was the sole supermarket on Silver Lake Street.

I handed her the cash I had managed to scrape together. I was in a rush to get to the hospital as quickly as possible. I was certain that my life would have no purpose without my mother, Josephine, as I called her frequently at home before learning that she had the fatal disease. 

Even if it meant working nonstop from dawn to dusk without getting any sleep, I was ready to offer her everything. All I wanted was for her to be alright, healthy for me. Although the doctor has given me comfort, I hated to think that she might pass away.

I got on a bus that headed toward the hospital, and we soon arrived in front of it. I suppose I could say that now that I'm 26, I have lived this life wandering the streets in search of cash for my mother's medical care. But is it true that I never got tired? 

As I got off the packed bus, the warm sun hugged my face, making me squint my eyes.

It's supposed that the sun brightens spirits and shines brighter in LA, but I never feel lighter after being there, even in mid-July.

I was raised in Los Angeles and never had the chance to make acquaintances. Or perhaps I did, and when she realized I was having a lot of issues, things went awry.

~~

As I entered her ward, my eyes scrutinized the area. "Mother," I called, holding the tears that were threatening to fall on my face, but instead, she maintained her typical stoic silence.  Not a single word to defuse my anxiety.

She would simply look at me with sunken, dark circles, and puffiness in her hazel eyes, caused by dehydration and fatigue, nodding in agreement that I should stop crying. She had nothing to do and hated to see me weep.

"I have your fluids," I said, pulling out the beverages and setting them on the table next to her.

“Miss Isabella.” I turned to face Mr Ralph, my mom’s doctor after hearing his cool voice behind me. He was wearing a crisp white shirt, light blue scrubs, and a long white lab coat, with a stethoscope slung around his neck and a name tag on his lapel.

“Please join me in my office now, I have some things to discuss with you.” I took a deep breath and stood up.

"All right, Doctor." 

I followed him into his large office, where he unlocked the door and let us in.

"Please take a seat." He offered as he entered the inner chamber.

My gaze roamed the space, surveying the surroundings with a mix of curiosity, before ultimately coming to rest on the papers scattered across his desk, my expression clouded by a sense of foreboding. Looking closer, all I saw was my mother's report of Dengue Fever Disease.

"Should I treat you casually?" He asked, smiling amiably as he took a seat in front of me, but I could tell right then that he was just interested in discussing my mother's care. 

"Indeed, Dr. Raphl" He nodded when I slowly responded.

"Isabella, your mother's condition demands relentless attention and costly treatment, but alas, she's been resistant to our aid. I fear you grasp the dire implications. The therapy she's receiving may be insufficient for her advanced state, and I dread informing you that her care will be terminated unless the requisite funds are procured." His stark words left me reeling in shock.

My attempt to ignore his comments caused my eyes to enlarge in pain.

"To what extent? What is the required amount?" Glamping in my saliva and holding tight to the end of my cloth, I begged.

As soon as it became clear that the treatment wasn't even for her, the doctor assured me that they had something to provide that wouldn't cost a lot of money. She is not getting any better, not even slightly.

As he spoke, he gave me the most understanding yet stern look. " Isabella, we're talking about tens of thousands of dollars. And that just applies to the upcoming stage of care. As I mentioned to you the first time you showed up with her, dengue is a virus spread by mosquito bites, among other things I won't get into here.

Maybe this wouldn't be the case if you had seen it earlier. Her organs are being impacted by her agony, which could lead to something I don't want to get into." I felt my world collapsing around me as he calmly said. 

I couldn't lose my mother—she is my everything, my pillar of support. Never, ever, not right now. Tens of thousands of dollars, though, when you think about it. How was I meant to obtain that?

"However, _"  I trailed off, really glamping. "What if we can't afford it, though?" I asked, trembling slightly.

"I realize this is a lot to process. Rest assured, Isabella, we will make every effort to assist you in locating alternate options or financial aid. But time is not on our side. We must move swiftly." Tears were welling up at the corners of my eyes as the Doctor revealed.

The image of my mother struggling for her life while lying in a hospital bed. Made my heart ache with grief. I was unable to simply give up on her. No, I wouldn't.

"Doctor, what should I do? Tell me what to do, please." Desperation shattered my voice.

I begged the doctor with tears welling up in my eyes. "Please, there has to be another action we can take. Something else—a different hospital, a different course of care."

"Isabella, I recognize how desperate you are, but your mother's health is best treated with this approach. And regrettably, the cost is high." He pitifully sighed.

Even though I knew the doctor was attempting to assist, it felt like we were at a loss. I was devastated by the idea that my mother would advise me to give up on her and allow her to live in peace.

I squared my shoulders and inhaled deeply. "All right, Doctor. I'll manage to make it happen. I'll manage to obtain the money somehow. But please, don't stop trying to help my mom. Continue to care for her. Doctor, please don't stop the treatment.” He sighed as I begged him through tears.

"That's a choice you have to make. We would be able to provide her with the greatest care sooner if we received the funds more quickly. Believe me." 

I sobbed as I stomped outside the hospital gate after the doctor's final remarks. I was not allowed to return to that ward because if she found out that I had been crying, she would undoubtedly become concerned and it may have an impact on her current situation.

I cleaned off my tears as I collided with a soft body, making me flinch to the front in fear.

I couldn't help but notice how gorgeous the woman in front of me was as I looked up at her. Gorgeous long limbs, lips a fiery red, and wavy black hair. 

Is that the least of my concerns?

"I'm sorry," I said and star

ted to walk away, but her gentle words stopped me in my tracks.

"I'm willing to assist you."