I stood there watching this woman try to comfort her daughter while falling apart herself. Behind me, my brothers filed into the small living room. Four massive bikers taking up all the space.
“Ma’am,” I said quietly. “I don’t want to intrude. But I need to understand what’s happening here. Your daughter said you’re sick. That her father passed from the same illness. That you can’t afford her school.”
“And now you have it too.”
She nodded. “I can’t work anymore. I had to quit my job eight months ago when my legs stopped working. Disability doesn’t cover much. David’s life insurance went to his medical bills. We have nothing.”
“What about family?”
“My parents are gone. David’s family… they blamed me for his illness. Said I gave it to him somehow. They haven’t spoken to us since he died.”
Marcus stepped forward. His voice was rough with emotion. “Ma’am, how much is the medication you need?”
She laughed bitterly. “More than I’ll ever have. The injectable medication is $2,000 a month. I’ve been off it for three months now. That’s why I’m getting worse so fast.”
“And kindergarten? How much is that?”
“The public school has fees. Registration, supplies, uniforms. About $400 total. But I had to choose between that and keeping the lights on.” She looked at Lily. “I promised her she’d start school this year. I promised.”
