HICB Ch.9 wc964

HICB Ch.9 wc964

Mark delivered all the baby supplies he had purchased to her place and wished he could put them away. He wasn’t sure which bedroom was meant to be the nursery. She hadn’t decorated any particular room yet. He felt a little like Santa Claus as he brought boxes and bags and piles of baby things into her house and picked a likely room right across the hall from her bedroom. 

He set up the crib, and put a little mattress pad, and crib sheet on the bed, then installed the little animal mobile. He put some stuffed animals in the crib, not too many, he didn’t want to suffocate the little guy. He folded a baby blanket with farm animal babies and placed it at one end of the crib.

When he felt he had done all the damage he could, he closed the door to the room and locked the house. Driving toward town, he couldn’t help but grin, and he increased his rate of speed. He couldn’t wait to see the expression on Jayda’s face when she saw all that he had done.

Arriving at the hospital, he suddenly thought, “How is she paying for all of this bill?” He stopped by the business office and asked to see someone about Jayda Michaels’ bill. He was led to an office, where he sat and waited briefly. A nice middle-aged lady with a sweet smile came in through the door carrying a mug of hot beverage, coffee, he decided, by the pleasant aroma.

“Hello? My name is Judith Collins. I’m head of finances here at Salina Regional. May I help you?” she smiled.

“Umm, yes, I want to ask about Jayda Michaels’ bill. I’m not related, yet. I’m hoping to marry her as soon as possible, and I know she doesn’t have any insurance, and no money to speak of and---” he stammered when he realized he was running on and on.

“I’m sorry, but HIPPAA laws don’t allow me to discuss her case with you. Only her list of contacts can have access to any information. If you speak with her and ask her to let us put you on her list, then and only then can we discuss anything to do with her case. Do you understand?” She looked apologetic but firm. “Tell me, have you asked her to put you on her list?”

“Well, no---but I was hoping to pay the bill and surprise her. A kind of gift for the baby, you know?” He was holding his hat and turning it around in his fingers. He realized he was doing it and stopped. He looked down and a sad expression came over him.

“Oh, how sweet!” she said, smiling tenderly at him. She looked at him for a few seconds, assessing his intent. “Mr. uhhh---what is your name? I didn’t catch it”

“I’m sorry. My name is Mark Reeves. I was the one who found her and her car in the ditch the night she delivered Mark Lee. She was so thankful she named him after me. I didn’t expect that but was so honored. And well, I just want to help her anyway I can.” Mark flushed, embarrassed.

“Oh, how precious! Let me see what I can do, ok?” She stood, beaming down at him, then left the room. A few moments later, she returned and sat down in her chair. “The nurse is helping Jayda add you to her list of contacts. As soon as you are added, then we can discuss her bill. That is so sweet for you to help her this way.”

“Well, Ma’am, it’s like this. When I saw her in that ditch, and she was having all those contractions that were just racking her with pain, I just seemed to fall in love with her at first sight. Can you believe that?” Mark looked down, embarrassed. His hat started revolving around the brim again.  He always did that when he was embarrassed or nervous. “I want to ask her to marry me, as soon as I can.”

At that point, the woman began to tear up. His confession was so romantic, and she instantly prayed that the two of them could have a wonderful marriage and a beautiful family together.

Her phone rang, and she answered. She listened for a few moments and then returned the receiver to its cradle. “Mr. Reeves, you are in luck. The nurse asked Jayda if she would like to add you to her list of contacts, and she said yes. So, we can discuss her bill now, ok?”

“Great! How much is the total?” The lady looked at her computer and scrolled a way, then looked up at him and gave him a figure.

“Wow! Babies are expensive, aren’t they?” He dug out his wallet and handed her a credit card.

“Yes, they certainly are, thank you so much for doing this. It certainly makes things simpler for us, and for Jayda. I hope it doesn’t inconvenience you too very much.”

“No, my credit is excellent, so I always have new credit cards. I haven’t used this one before. If it doesn’t clear, I have others.”

“Actually, it did clear, Mr. Reeves. Thank you very much. Is there anything else I can help you with today?”

“No, I don’t think so. Are we all done on the bill now? I’d like to go see Jayda and Mark Lee now.”

“Of course, Mr. Reeves. Again, thank you very much. And the best of luck with your proposal and future together.”

“Thank you, Ma’am. I may need all the luck I can get.” Mark stood and placed his hat back on his head. He turned and left her office, headed toward Jayda’s room.