chapter Eight
“I have a meeting with the board of directors today, Mom. I’m excited. I think things are going to turn around for us,” Ari said with a big smile.
“That’s great, darling. I ate most of my breakfast today. I’m feeling much better. How was your night?”
“I got a job, a really great job as an assistant to the vice president of this prestigious electronics company. I may even get to do some traveling, but not for a while,” Ari answered excitedly. Her mother’s concerned expression confused her.
“I thought you were going to enroll back in school, Ari. You won’t be happy working as someone’s secretary. You’re far too talented and smart for that.”
“I promise you I’ll get back in school as soon as all of this is over.”
“Ari, most college students who drop out for one reason or another, find it impossible to get back to their studies. Life gets in the way. I will get my medical stuff figured out on my own. I want you to go to school and finish what you started.”
“I give you my word that I’ll go back. I can’t concentrate on homework and attending classes when I know you need help. Think of it from my perspective, Mom. Would you be able to just go on living your life if the situation were reversed? If I was the one lying in the hospital bed needing surgery, could you just pretend it wasn’t happening?” Ari challenged.
Her mother looked at her for several minutes as if trying to come up with the correct words, then glanced down. Ari knew her mom wouldn’t lie to her, so she chose not to say anything.
“I’ll be back by to visit with you but I have to run right now. I’m going to charm those board members and then we’ll get you into surgery and back on your feet before you know it. Everything has turned around now that you’re awake. Can’t you feel the good Karma in the room?” Ari said with a smile. She bent down and kissed her mother’s cheek, then walked from the room and made her way to the elevator.
Honestly, she was shaking inside. She was intimidated to meet with the panel of board members who could grant her a pro-bono surgery, but she wouldn’t show that. If she portrayed confidence then they’d see that the only right decision was to give her mother the operation she not only needed, but deserved.
“I’m here for a meeting with Mr. Coolidge and the board members,” Ari announced to the secretary stationed on the executive floor.
“Name, please?”
“Arianna Harlow.”
“They’re waiting for you now. Go through the door on the left.”
Ari tightened her purse on her shoulder and made her way to the door. She stalled when she walked through, seeing all the exceptionally dressed men and women sitting around a large oval table. One chair was available at the end. She assumed it was for her, but she didn’t want to sit until invited.
“Ms. Harlow. Thank you for meeting with us. Please, have a seat over there so we can get started.”
“I appreciate you taking the time to see me,” she murmured as she made her way to the empty chair. She should lift her head and make eye-contact with each person there, but suddenly her nerves were getting the best of her.
Each member of the board was a doctor, retired doctor, or important member of the community. They had high powered jobs, loads of cash, and Ari and her mother were nothing to them. For the first time she accepted that the outcome may not go the way she needed it to.
“We’ve reviewed your mother’s case and we have a few questions for you.”
Ari glanced up at the stern looking man sitting at the head of the table. The name plate before him announced him as Mr. Coolidge, who was the chairman of the board. If she could get him on her side, things would go a lot more smoothly for her. She’d done her research.
“I’m willing to answer anything, Mr. Coolidge.”
“Our pro-bono budget has been maxed out this month. We have many cases where patients don’t have enough insurance, or certain procedures aren’t covered. We take pride in offering more discounted surgeries than other places, but we do have to set a limit. After all, we are a business, and if everyone had free surgery we would go under. We’ve looked through your application and can see here that you aren’t currently working. How do you expect to contribute to your mother’s medical costs?”
“I was hired for a new job yesterday with Sunstream Electronics. I have an excellent salary and very few expenses right now. I can contribute seventy percent of my earnings each month toward my mother’s care,” she answered proudly.
“That’s a step in the right direction, but still won’t be enough. The daily stay in the hospital adds up quickly. Your mother has already been here for two weeks now and her bill is…” he paused as he flipped through some papers. “… a little over fifteen thousand. With the surgery she needs, we’re looking at a final bill of well over two-hundred thousand dollars. Even if the hospital managed to contribute funds, you’d be expected to pay well over a hundred thousand of that. Do you have a way of obtaining a loan, or possibly selling some personal property?”
Ari’s throat closed. There was no way a bank would loan her that kind of money. She had nothing to back up the loan, no credit, and barely any work experience. Up until six months ago, she’d only been a college student. A financial institution would have to be crazy to give her the cash.
“I’ve filled out all the forms you gave me. I haven’t heard back from the businesses yet, but expect to at any time,” she squeaked past the tightness in her throat.
“I’m going to be honest with you, Ms. Harlow. This doesn’t look good. If we don’t have a solid plan within the next few days, we’re going to have to discharge your mother.”
“You can’t do that! You can’t just send her away, knowing that she’ll die,” Ari begged.
“As I told you, this is a business, Ms. Harlow. We don’t like denying treatment to anyone, but as I already told you, we can’t afford to offer surgeries to patients who can’t pay for them.”
Ari’s heart was breaking as she struggled with what to say next.
“Do you have another possible way of obtaining the funds – possibly a… friend who could loan you the money?”
Ari’s head whipped around as she recognized that voice. Her startled glance clashed with Rafe Palazzo, who was sitting at the far corner of the table. She’d had no idea he was a part of the hospital board. She should’ve known considering how wealthy he was. The man probably had his hand in just about everything in the city.
“I don’t know anyone like that,” she answered.
“Are you sure, Ms. Harlow? You can’t think of anyone who may be willing to help you out, maybe make a trade?”
Ari was stunned at his boldness. She knew exactly what he was talking about. She only hoped the other members were clueless of his game. As her gaze collided with his, she thought about it. Could she really turn down the money for her mother’s surgery? Was her integrity worth more than her mother’s life?
She wanted to tell him that yes, she would do it. But the words just wouldn’t come out. All she could think about beyond the panic and defeat was her mother telling her to not sacrifice herself. If she did this and her mom found out, she’d never forgive Ari.
She had to breathe deeply through the blackness wanting to overtake her.
“We’ll meet with you again in a few days, Ms. Harlow to find out if you’ve made any headway in the matter,” Mr. Coolidge said, saving her from having to answer Rafe.
“Thank you,” Ari mumbled as the members of the board began rising from their seats.
Ari sat still, knowing her legs weren’t strong enough to hold her yet. She didn’t meet any of their faces as they filed past her and walked from the room. When she was sure they were all gone, she finally looked up and found herself alone with Rafe. She should have fled with the rest of the board. She didn’t want to be alone with him.
“Well, Ms. Harlow, it seems you have a decision to make,” he said with a confident smile. “Will you be accepting my very generous offer?”
Ari prayed for the floor to open up and swallow her. She’d rather be anywhere but where she was right then.