AN ENTICING OFFER

Chapter-Two

AMBER

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the hospital door opened, and the doctor walked into the room carrying a chart in his hand. He looked at Amber and then at her father, who was lying on the bed motionless.

"Good evening doctor, I was about to come up to see you" Amber stated as the doctor walked up to the monitor, fixed a few things, and then injected some things into the drip her father was taking.

When he was done, he finally looked at Amber before saying, "Good evening Miss Jackson, I am here because your father isn't getting better, I am afraid he has to undergo emergency surgery soon".

"Emergency surgery? Is he going to be fine?" She asked.

"That's a probability, but first you have to deal with the pending payment from the last surgery and pay at least half for this surgery before anything is done to help your father," he said.

"I know that I am still owing. I just haven't received my salary, but it will come later this week. Couldn't you do anything before then? I will find a way to pay for the surgery, I promise." Amber pleaded.

The doctor shook his head in refusal, "I understand your situation very well, Miss Jackson. I have been your father's doctor since the day he was brought here, and I know how you work harder than anyone. But things are out of my capacity now, the hospital policy requires payment for these surgeries. We cannot proceed with the surgery unless you make the payment", he explained.

"I will settle the bills, I promise, but please let my father have the surgery" Tears began to fall from her eyes. "I can't lose my daddy". She added.

"You will not lose your father if the surgery is done within this week, Miss Jackson. And besides, the payment for this room has expired for three weeks now, and yet I still let you stay here and still attend to your father daily without my supervisors knowing. I don't want to get in trouble and lose my license, so please make the payment soon and everybody will be fine", the doctor said.

Amber's heart sank upon hearing what the doctor said. Things were happening so quickly that it wasn't easy for her to understand, but she knew the doctor had tried his best. It's been two years, and yet he has always been patient with her. His supervisors must be giving him a hard time.

"Can't you please make an exception, just this once? Seeing my father this way breaks me daily, his life is at stake here, doctor" she asked once more, this time, hopeful.

The Doctor stared at her father and then back at her. He felt sympathy for them, but it was obvious that he couldn't do anything to help. His hands were tied.

"I wish I could help you, Miss Jackson, but my hands are tied. I don't own this hospital, I work here and even if I understand your situation, the hospital's policies are strict. Making an exception now can cost me my job", he stated.

"What if I let him have this surgery, and then you eventually can't pay at the end of the week? What if complications arise during the surgery, and I am questioned about taking actions without orders? It could be even worse for me and I could lose my medical license" he added, trying to make her understand.

"Doctor", she called, pleadingly.

"I'm so sorry Miss Jackson, I do hope you get this sorted out soon" And with that, the doctor left the hospital room, and it finally dawned on me that there was no way I could save my father.

This was the end.

*****

Andrea opened the door for Amber later that night, "Is Dana home?" Amber asked immediately as she walked into the house.

"No, I thought you were together at the hospital," Andrea said and Amber sighed. "You two had another fight?" She asked, not too surprised.

"I don't even know if it was a fight, but I expected that she would be home. That girl is too damn stubborn" Amber frowned as she spoke.

"You should cut Dana some slack, Amber. She isn't a kid anymore," Andrea said.

"I know that, which is why I am trying my best so she can have a better life. I don't want her spending her life in the hospital taking care of Dad like I did". Andrea walked up to Amber and then helped her to sit on the sofa before holding her hands.

"Have you thought of telling her this?" Andrea asked her friend.

"What's the use? Dana wouldn't understand anyway", Amber disagreed, and then her voice broke. "What happened today? how is your father?" She asked.

"It's the same, he still wouldn't open his eyes or even talk to me and the doctor said he is getting worse and needs to undergo emergency surgery before the end of this week", Amber replied, this time with tears about to fall.

Andrea gasped "Oh my God, Amber, I am so sorry".

"I don't understand why all of this is happening to me honestly. I don't even have money to pay for his room and now an impromptu surgery? Where do I get the money from?" Amber asked no one in particular as she cried.

"I think I can..."

Amber interrupted Andrea, "I won't collect another penny from you so don't even suggest it. Come on, you have done enough for a man who isn't even your father 'Drea".

"He is your father, Amber, and I will do anything to make you happy," Andrea said, and the two of them hugged.

"Are you going to call Dana and ask where she is?" Andrea asked.

"She probably won't pick my calls, so I will just wait till she gets home tomorrow," Amber replied and she nodded.

"Come on, let's get upstairs and get you changed into something better". Andrea got up from the sofa and began to pull Amber up.

"Why?" Amber immediately asked and Andrea shot her a sly smirk. She wasn't thinking of going to a party, right?

"No, it's a work day and tomorrow is Tuesday. Getting drunk today means a hangover tomorrow and that means waking up late and most likely getting fired."

Andrea burst into laughter, "You are such a party wrecker, didn't you want to quit your job?" She teased.

"Well, not like that," Amber said.

"Oh well, I don't care, you are in a bad mood, and we are going to get you dressed, head to a bar and get you a one-night stand, no more arguments", Andrea said, with a tone of finality.