AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Nonsense. You’ve got enough on your plate with Grandma and Grandpa. How are they doing?”
“Not well.” Her mother sighed. “Your father and I have been discussing finding a placement for them.”
“Can you afford that?” From Rose’s understanding, the long-term care insurance in South Korea covered more of the cost of a nursing home than insurance did in the US, but it was still expensive.
“I believe so, though it’ll be tight.” Mom bit her lip. “Actually, that was something I’ve been meaning to discuss with you.”
Something about her mother’s demeanor filled Rose with dread. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m afraid we won’t be able to come to your wedding. Between the nursing home costs and the rising prices for flights, I just don’t see how we can swing it.”
Could this day get any worse? Fresh tears welled in Rose’s eyes, and she struggled to blink them back. Though she’d wondered how her parents would manage her grandparents’ care if they were gone for the wedding, it never occurred to her they wouldn’t be able to afford to come.
“I understand,” Rose whispered.
“But maybe once things are settled, you and Steven can visit us.”
“Yeah, maybe.” The words sounded hollow. “I should go. I have an early shift tomorrow.”
“Should you be working with everything going on?”
The idea of not working hadn’t even crossed Rose’s mind. With Lisa’s daughter still sick, they were short-staffed. And she was going to the hospital anyway to check on Steven.
“I need to maintain some sense of normalcy,” Rose said, hoping that sounded convincing enough.
“All right, then. Give our best to Steven and take care of yourself.”
“I will. Love you, Mom.”
She ended the call and leaned back in the chair, staring at the ceiling. In the span of thirty-six hours, her dream wedding had crumbled before her eyes. First Steven’s accident then her mother’s bombshell news that her parents weren’t coming.
Maybe we should just postpone. She dismissed the thought as soon as it occurred. It was too late to cancel without risking losing all of their deposits and then some. Besides, it seemed selfish to postpone the wedding just because her parents couldn’t make it when Steven had lost his mother only a year ago.
The financial aspect was a separate issue but one she and Steven could figure out. At least, that was what she kept telling herself.
Chapter Five
“I’ve called you here today because we need to discuss next steps,” Dr. Myers began.
Steven struggled to draw breath with all the bodies wedged in around his bed. His room in the ICU hadn’t appeared so small until his family, Rose, and several members of the medical staff crowded in. He shifted uncomfortably in the tight quarters. At least his neck brace had been removed.
“We’ve been monitoring Steven since his surgery, and I’m pleased with the progress he’s made. If things continue to look up, we plan to move him tomorrow.” Dr. Myers gestured to Dr. Bhati, who stood beside him near the door.
“With Steven potentially transferring out of the ICU, it’s time to start discussing next steps,” Dr. Bhati said.
“What do you suggest?” Rose asked from Steven’s right side.
Dr. Bhati frowned. “That will depend on what sort of living arrangement is available to Steven. His injuries will restrict his mobility, even once we’re able to move him to a wheelchair. He’ll need a lot of assistance, especially in the beginning as he’s learning how to compensate for his limited abilities.”
“He lives alone.” Dad rested a hand on the left-hand bed rail. “In a two-story house where the beds are on the second floor.”
“That presents a problem,” Dr. Myers said. “Even if his mobility wasn’t limited, I wouldn’t want him climbing the stairs for a few weeks while his heart heals.”
“Can a hospital bed be set up downstairs?” Dr. Bhati asked.
Steven scowled. The last thing he wanted was to continue sleeping in an uncomfortable bed once he was home.
“He could stay with me,” Rose suggested. “I have a first-floor condo and a guest room with a twin bed.” She glanced at Steven before continuing, “The doors are wide enough for the wheelchair, but the bathroom isn’t ADA compliant.”
