by Meredith Davises

Created on: January 16, 2011

The morning started with a fight. Phil did not want to go to his doctor’s appointment. “I’m here because you need me,” screamed Gina. “You’re here because you can’t make it on your own,” retorted Phil.

Self-righteously, Phil tried to put on his coat. “We’re going to be late,” said Gina as she pulled the coat over his shoulders and buttoned it. “We’re going to a clinic, no appointments, just lines,” wailed Phil.

“I’m sorry, daddy. You’re insurance doesn’t cover this,” comforted Gina. It broke her heart that her father was humbled to receive medical assistance.

The clerk instructed Phil to sign in and take a number. Gina took the pen and the clerk scolded, “He has to sign in!” “He can’t write. He’s had a stroke,” explained Gina. “He has to sign in,” demanded the clerk.

Phil managed to mark an “X” on the line and pull a number off the peg. The clerk hollered, “I need a current medical card.” Gina gave Phil the card and the clerk snatched it out of his hand. “Take a seat,” snarled the clerk.

The waiting room was crowded. Phil and Gina lined up along the wall with other people. The clerk called out a name leaving an empty seat. Gina held Phil back as a young pregnant woman took the seat.

The woman looked relieved to be off her feet resting. Phil thought about Gina who lived away from home just last year when she was pregnant. Did Gina come to the clinic? She lived with her boyfriend. “It must have been hard,” thought Phil.

“I should have helped her,” regretted Phil. “Maybe she would have stayed in school and got a better good job.” “It was time,” decided Phil to make a change and help his daughter and grandchild.

Phil took his turn. When the doctor referred him for physical therapy, he gladly took the appointment. If he was going to spend time with his grandson, he needed to get better soon.

He let Gina help on with his coat. Instead of leaning on her, he put an arm around her shoulder and gave her a gentle hug.

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