Chapter 16: Mother Knows Best

Tuesday, February 7, 2023, 10:00 a.m.

Melanie drove out of visitor parking up to the hospital’s porte-cochère, a grandiose name for a driveway and covered parking spot next to the giant building’s exit. Jacob was attended and seated there in a wheelchair.

With her front passenger seat moved all the way back, the orderly carefully folded Jacob (and his broken ankles) into her little Civic. The wheelchair went around back into the hatch, and they were off.

Jacob had been able to speak since Monday morning when his injuries were healed enough for his jaw to be freed.

“Thank you, Melanie, for helping me. I can’t imagine how much harder everything would be without you being so kind.”

“Jacob, I’m going to need your help, too. I see you have regular clothes on, except for your lower body. We have a blanket for your legs, and you will have to get by with those disposable slipper socks for now. I assume you have your wallet and keys? Good, because we have to go to your bank ATM and get some money out, it was Pelle Marco, right? Oh, look, there’s one of their branches just ahead on the left.”

Once they were parked, Melanie explained.

“We need money for a few reasons. First, I’m not getting wages for the days I spend with you, there’s no paid leave at my stupid job. Second, we need to get groceries for the three of us. Third, the hospital took the very last bit of my cash for the deposit on your wheelchair.

“I am presuming that you have a good income or assets, based on what you have done, and what you told me. You must already know that I’m right at the edge, financially. So I want to take care of you physically, Jacob, but I need you to help me out with some cash.”

He answered, “Please, you are doing wonderful things for me, and I promise you won’t have to absorb any of the cost. Not a dime! Instead of the ATM, let’s go inside so we can get things moving more quickly for you. I promise you now, there will be no more edge.”

Forty Minutes Later.

“I have never seen a banker move so fast. Do you own their stock or something?”

“Naw, I just have a lot of money deposited there. You understand, Melanie, that Debit card is on that new joint account they set up for us, yes?”

“I understand. Are you sure? You put eighty-five hundred dollars in that account! And there’s another $900 in cash in my bag, including $200 stuffed into my old wallet.”

“Trust me, as I have said, I could spend ten times that amount and not even notice it. I do have a lot of money, obviously, and I need you to have flexibility and easy access for us while I’m laid up.

“But, to be honest, today I want you to excuse me from grocery shopping with you. My pain meds are wearing off, and I’m really uncomfortable packed into your little car. I want to get back to the apartments.”

“Of course, Jacob, we’ll go there right now. While I’m thinking about it, what kind of food should I buy for you?”

“Really, I’m happy with whatever you want to get. I don’t have any restrictions, although I prefer meat and poultry over fish and shellfish. I need calcium and protein to help my ankles heal, so maybe some steaks would be good. We should get more of the Montreal seasoning. Also, please do pick up a bottle of chewable calcium tablets for me.”