Chapter 10

While I was out job hunting the next day, I received an urgent call from the hospital. "Mr. Parker, your mother's running a high fever that won't break. The situation is critical. Please come back as soon as possible." By the time I reached the hospital, Mom had already been moved to intensive care. I asked anxiously, "How's she doing?" The doctor's expression was serious as he explained, "We need to start treatment immediately, but it seems your previous credit is nearly used up. If you want to continue, you'll need to make another deposit as soon as possible." "I understand. Please begin the treatment. I'll figure something out," I replied, trying to stay calm. I had emptied my entire bank account into the hospital payment system, afraid they might stop treatment if the bills went unpaid. All my savings from the past few years were gone in an instant. It still was not enough, so I tried calling Mom's relatives to borrow money. They all refused, each claiming their own financi