Chapter 6: Debts
Ella sat at her small kitchen table, the harsh light of the overhead bulb casting long shadows over the cluttered bills spread in front of her. She rubbed her tired eyes, trying to focus, but the figures were blurring together. The past few months had been one long string of unpaid dues, missed calls, and constant reminders that she was barely keeping her head above water.
The most recent bill, a hospital statement from her mom’s care, sat in the center. A substantial sum had been accrued, and the note at the bottom was clear: Final Notice. The hospital wanted their money now, or they would cease her mother’s treatment. Ella’s fingers trembled as she ran them across the paper. How could she ever pay this? How could anyone? The weight of her mother’s medical bills had been crushing her, and her account was empty.
Her mom had been in a coma for years and every day felt like an eternity. Ella had already drained the last of her savings to keep her mother in care. Her friends had helped when they could, and her family—well, that was a different matter entirely.
The phone buzzed on the table, jolting her from her thoughts. She glanced at it, already knowing who it was. The hospital. The same unrelenting voice on the other end.
"Ms. Marquez, we’ve noticed your balance is overdue again. Your mother’s treatment is at risk of being suspended unless the payment is made immediately."
Ella swallowed hard, fighting the lump in her throat. "I... I don’t have the money right now. I’ve been doing everything I can."
"We understand your situation, Ms. Marquez, but we cannot continue treatment without payment. Please make arrangements as soon as possible."