My Husband Played Stranger, So I Took Off the Ring novel · Chapter 14 of 24
Chapter 14: Night Shift
On Sunday morning we took the early bus to Dayton, and I held my phone in my lap the whole way.
Nate sat beside me with his knee bouncing.
At Maple Court the lobby smelled like floor wax and coffee.
The administrator met us at the front desk before we could reach the elevator.
She was a tired woman in a cardigan, and she looked sorry before she said anything.
"Ms. Larkin. Mr. Hargrove. Can we talk in my office?"
"Is my mother awake?" I asked.
"She's asleep. She had a good night." The administrator shut the door. "The Care Foundation pays two thousand one hundred dollars of her bill each month. It has for two years."
I stared at her.
"I thought that was a hardship grant I'd applied for."
"Your mother's file says the Foundation approved it directly." She glanced at Nate, and then away. "As of Friday, the trustees have put it under review. If the review isn't settled, Bed Twelve is released to the waiting list on Monday at nine."
"Released," I said.
"Her things would be moved to the county ward."
"The county ward has eight beds to a room."
"I'm so sorry. I don't make the decision."
"Who does?"
She folded her hands.
"The Foundation's chair signed the order himself."
I didn't need her to say the name.
Nate had gone very pale.
"Can we pay the difference?" he said. "For this month."
"Two thousand one hundred. Yes. By Monday at nine."
"I'll have it."
"Nate," I said. "You don't have it. You have four dollars and a suit."
"I'll have it by nine."
He said it in the quiet voice he'd used at the dinner, and I knew there was no point arguing.
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