The Bills

Max snapped his eyes open to a very unfamiliar ceiling. For the first few seconds, he couldn't tell where he was as he scanned his eyes around the room.

“Hospital?” He wondered as he tried to sit up, but a sharp pain at the back of his head forced him to lay back down.

“Mr. Stratford, you're finally up?” A nurse asked as she walked in and quickly checked his temperature, after which he helped Max sit up.

He hissed in pain, asking, “How did I get here?”

“The ambulance brought you in.” She replied “You look sturdy. Who would have thought you were so weak?” She mumbled to himself.

Max, who heard her clearly, quickly defended himself, “Weak? I was hit from the back! That's one cheap move!”

He looked through the window and noticed the sun was already up and remembering he was hit last night. He quickly asked, “How long have I been out?”

“15 hours. You spent the night and a substantial part of the day here. You can leave now after paying your bills and getting your drugs from the pharmacy. Your prescription will be handed to you after paying the bills.” The nurse replied as she removed the empty IV bag from the stand and started towards the door.

“And my wife?” He asked again.

The nurse who was just about to close the door halted and answered for the last time, “No one accompanied you here, and certainly no lady has come by to check on you." She said.

She turned to leave again but halted upon remembering something, "Oh...except you're talking about that obese looking man that came this morning, and he seemed furious.” She giggled mischievously, slamming the door behind her as she walked away.

Max gritted his teeth as he clenched his jaw and fist in anger, “Aria, you're really going to do this? Just when our lives are about to turn for the best?”

He stepped down from the bed and looked at himself in the mirror. The bandage was wrapped around his head, messing up his usually clean, jet black crew cut.

Frustrated, he walked out of the room. His thoughts were clouded by the pain his wife had caused him, and he charged towards the hospital exit, rushing to meet her at home.

Just as he was about to walk out of the exit, a security guard stopped him, asking, “Show me your receipt, sir.”

Max only realized at that moment that he hadn't paid his bill as instructed.

“Oh, I forgot…”

“He was right. You were really going to abscond with the hospital bills.” The guard rudely interrupted.

“What are you talking about? I had a lot on my mind and…”

“Of course. That's what they always say. You must have also just lost your wife. Or your mother got into an accident. Or something else.” The guard mocked.

Max's eyes reddened upon the mention of his mother that he angrily grabbed the guard by the collar. He raised his fist to punch his face, but the guard started to cause a scene.

“You want to hit me? For doing my job?” He asked, raising his voice to call for attention from the people around.

A crowd quickly gathered around them, some bringing out their phones to record the situation. Eventually, Max had to let go.

“You should learn to respect your customers.” He warned.

“I will only respect those who respect themselves and don't try to run without paying up. Not those that come up with excuses for forgetting.” The guard retorted.

Max smirked, ‘Fortunately I still have a few dollars from yesterday's tips. I will clear the bills with that.’ he thought to himself.

“Fine, I will pay the bill, but you will have to apologize to me in front of everyone once I am done.” He challenged.

“Gladly. But you will not only beg at my feet if you can't, but you will also be arrested.” The guard also challenged.

With all eyes on him, Max walked towards the cashier and reached out to his apron. Only then did he realize it was gone.

His eyes widened in disbelief as he frantically checked himself. Only his phone and wallet were left in his pocket, and even the wallet was empty.

“What happened? Don't have cash? We accept cards, too. It's just a $200 bill, I'm sure you can afford that, right?” The cashier sharply interrupted Max.

Fortunately, Max's card was in his wallet, and he quickly brought it out, remembering he had about $5,000 he'd saved up for his son's trust fund.

'I will replace it later.’ He thought to himself as he handed over the card.

The cashier swiped it in her system and soon returned it to Max, “It's maxed out. Do you have another one?” She asked.

“No way! Try it again.” He suggested.

The cashier sighed disheartenedly but decided to give Max the benefits of doubt by swiping it again.

Max, on the other hand, decided to check his balance, but as soon as he switched on his phone, a debit alert came in at the same time as the lady returned the card.

Acct: 04***5***80

Amt: USD5,000.00

Desc: TO Aria Kingsley

Avail Bal: USD 0.12

Date: 05-Apr-2024 13:07

“Sir, does this hospital look like a joke to you? If you don't have the money, you should beg not brag.” The cashier scolded, throwing the card at him.

Whispers filled the air as they pointed fingers at him. His eyes reddened in tears as he'd never felt so humiliated in his life before now.

'Aria, how could you…”

“What are you still doing? Fall on your feet and beg before the police arrives.” The guard threatened as he walked towards Max.

“As handsome as he looks, he is actually a fraud?” A lady amongst the crowd whispered.

“Fortunately the guard caught him. He could have really ran away with the money.” Came another comment and so many more.

Max tried to hide his embarrassment as he turned to face the guard and the crowd watching. “I promise I can pay. I am in a bit of a situation right now, but I wasn't trying to make a run for it.” He tried to explain.

“I believe you." A sharp and frighteningly familiar voice echoed from behind him, leaving shocked as he turned to have a look.