The Call from the Clinic
I lunged for the phone. "Hello?" "Is this the residence of Mr. Tom Wilson?" a crisp, unfamiliar voice inquired. "Yes, I'm his wife," I breathed, heart pounding. "May I ask who's calling?" "Oak Street Veterinary Hospital here. Regarding the surgical fees for Ms. Janet Anderson's golden retriever, Bella..." the voice stated plainly. "Surgery?" My mind blanked; blood rushed to my limbs then drained away, leaving icy numbness. "What surgery? Is Bella... what's wrong?" My voice shook uncontrollably.
The Bill's Truth
"Are you family?" The voice paused. "Bella was brought in urgently yesterday for emergency surgery. It's complete, and she's stable now. But the fees require attention. Mr. Thomas Wilson is listed as the responsible party. We need him to confirm payment, or you..." I barely heard the rest. "Emergency surgery" crashed into my skull like a sledgehammer. Janet's accusations, Tom's fury yesterday—pieces snapped into a chilling picture. "What... what surgery?" I forced out, each word grating.
Desperate Questions
She hesitated. "Ma'am, we recommend speaking directly with Ms. Anderson or waiting for Mr. Wilson..." "Tell me!" My voice spiked shrilly, unrecognizable. "I'm his wife! His name's on the bill! What surgery did Bella undergo?!" I nearly screamed, fear and wrath burning my throat. A beat of silence, then one word pierced my ear like cold steel: "...spay." "Spay" seared into my consciousness like a brand.
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I lunged for the phone. "Hello?" "Is this the residence of Mr. Tom Wilson?" a crisp, unfamiliar voice inquired. "Yes, I'm his wife," I breathed, heart pounding. "May I ask who's calling?" "Oak Street Veterinary Hospital here. Regarding the surgical fees for Ms. Janet Anderson's golden retriever, Bella..." the voice stated plainly. "Surgery?" My mind blanked; blood rushed to my limbs then drained away, leaving icy numbness. "What surgery? Is Bella... what's wrong?" My voice shook uncontrollably.
The Bill's Truth
"Are you family?" The voice paused. "Bella was brought in urgently yesterday for emergency surgery. It's complete, and she's stable now. But the fees require attention. Mr. Thomas Wilson is listed as the responsible party. We need him to confirm payment, or you..." I barely heard the rest. "Emergency surgery" crashed into my skull like a sledgehammer. Janet's accusations, Tom's fury yesterday—pieces snapped into a chilling picture. "What... what surgery?" I forced out, each word grating.
Desperate Questions
She hesitated. "Ma'am, we recommend speaking directly with Ms. Anderson or waiting for Mr. Wilson..." "Tell me!" My voice spiked shrilly, unrecognizable. "I'm his wife! His name's on the bill! What surgery did Bella undergo?!" I nearly screamed, fear and wrath burning my throat. A beat of silence, then one word pierced my ear like cold steel: "...spay." "Spay" seared into my consciousness like a brand.
NEXT >>
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