Once upon a time, in a town just like yours, there lived a family. A family that didn’t fit any of the stereotypes really.
Time had taken its toll and even though they had been together for many years… and produced three very beautiful children, the decision was made to finally separate on positive accepting terms. It was agreed that both wonderful, loving parents would share the parenting of their brood as best as they were able. This worked well for all involved.
Once day, not long after the choice was made, a phone call broke the relatively busy hum of the lovely mother’s home. She answered the phone to find a lovely receptionist on the line.
“Hello, this is Suchandsuch Medical Clinic. We have *insert name of father here* with us and he appears to be having a little trouble paying his bill. He was wondering if you could assist him please?”
Always happy to help where she could, the woman asked the total outstanding amount.
“The total is $495,” was the calm response.
A little stunned, the woman asked if she could speak to her ex to clarify matter. The receptionist agreed and handed the phone to the man waiting.
“What is going on?” the confused lady asked.
“Can you just pay it please? My Eftpos card won’t work in their machine,” the man whispered.
“$495 though? As long as you can pay me back. Bills still need to be sorted here!”
“Absolutely. I decided to visit the GP to see about getting the big V done… and he decided to do it on the spot,” came the whisper through gritted teeth. “I do have the money in the account, the card just won’t go through the machine,”
This was all news to the children’s mother.
“Oh…Did you drive there?” she asked curiously.
A plan was forming slowly in her head.
“No, I caught the bus. In case I needed to take medication or such before the procedure,”
“Okay, if I pay the account, I will need to collect you as well.” He quickly agreed, obviously in some degree of discomfort and wishing to be put out of his misery sooner rather than later.
Within minutes, the medical receptionist had accepted the payment over the phone from the woman’s credit card and had completed the transaction.
After piling the children into her vehicle and driving the 20 minutes to the doctor’s surgery, she parked directly in front of the building in clear view. Calmly she sent her eldest son inside to escort her ex partner to the car.
He slowly ambled out to the vehicle followed by the young teenage lad. Opening the front passenger door, he gingerly sat down… realising his three offspring, including his three month old baby son, were intently staring at him. He smiled unconvincingly.
From the medical clinic she took her passengers straight to the local shopping centre and parked as close to the entrance and undercover as she was able. Casually she requested her male companion’s medicare card and the account receipt. He calmly handed both items over, willing her to hurry up and get it over with.
Leaving the children and the adult in the vehicle, the woman calmly made her way inside and took her number to wait her turn. She was lucky there were few people waiting and her chance came around quickly. After receiving her rebate amount, she immediately made her way to the closest branch of her bank to deposit the cash into the relevant account. The small outstanding balance would be sorted via online banking later, she was sure.
She made her way back to the vehicle to find all safe and quiet. The drive home was much the same.
Pulling up outside her former partner’s residence she returned his medical benefits card with a grin.
Slightly amused, he asked what the smile was for.
“Well from this moment on, let it be known that your ex partner paid for you to be de-nutted”
“I hadn’t thought of that,” he said sheepishly, between fits of laughter. “But it will make a good story to tell the grandchildren!”
And they lived happily ever after…
*Disclaimer: this may or may not bear any resemblance to true events…
1. I can apparently tell a story
2. There is usually a silver lining in every situation
3. Laughter really is the best medicine!
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Ahem. No, I didn’t do it on purpose. Honest. *smiles awkwardly*
