Page 24 of Too Old for Love

“Doesn’t do much when your whole life has been taken from you,” he said with a sad, bitter expression.

“I saw a store on the corner,” said Tanner. “I’ll be right back.” Tanner left the apartment and Myers stared at AJ and Everest.

“Mr. Myers, we think that Med-Tech gave you the wrong prescriptions and forged authorizations for surgeries,” said AJ.

“Med-Tech? I don’t know them,” he said frowning as he shook his head. “I thought everything came through the hospital. Then the doctors said it was all bullshit, that the hospital was totally responsible, then the hospital said it was the doctors. In the meantime, I’m sitting here with more medical bills than you can afford in a lifetime, no income other than my social security, and I’m still sick.”

“We hope to change that,” said Everest.

AJ stepped away, typing frantically on his tablet, then making a call, his soft voice whispering in the tiny kitchen. When he returned, Mr. Myers was crying, telling Everest about all the things he’d been through.

“Mr. Myers, I’m so very sorry you went through this,” said Everest shaking her head.

“I don’t understand it,” he said. “My meds were working just fine and then suddenly the pills were a different shape.”

“A different shape?” asked Everest.

“Yep. I’m colorblind, so color ain’t no help. The pharmacist always tries to let me know what shape things are so I know what to take in the morning or at night. I mean, the labels help but for backup, shape is always helpful.”

“I understand,” nodded AJ. Tanner walked in with four cups of hot coffee plus four bags of groceries.

“Don’t put those away just yet,” said AJ. “Mr. Myers is going to be moving today.”

“Wh-what? You’re kickin’ me outta this dump?” he asked with tears.

“No, sir. We are not kicking you out. We are happily moving you to a senior living facility where a very generous benefactor has paid for your residence for the next ten years. If everything goes as planned and you live beyond that, it will be covered for another ten years.

“All of the furniture is included, dishes, cookware, everything. If you have anything special here, we’ll be happy to take it with us when we leave.”

“You’re not serious,” he frowned. “This is a joke.”

“No joke,” said AJ. Everest stared at the two men and smiled, tears in her own eyes. Mike was right. These were special people.

“Mr. Myers, when you were told about the surgery, what did they say?” asked Everest.

“I was shocked. Hell, the doctor was shocked. He said there was no time for additional tests. I thought to myself, what fucking additional tests? There were never any tests to begin with. When the lady at the hospital said there’d been a bunch of tests done before that, I thought I was still groggy from the anesthesia.

“Those pills were supposed to help me and they made me worse. Doctor said it most likely damaged my heart.”

“Mr. Myers, let’s continue to talk as we move you,” said AJ. “Tell us what you want to go with you.”

With three sad boxes of old photos and mementos piled into the SUV, and the one lonely suitcase of Mr. Myers’, they left the dungeon he called home. Everest continued to pepper him with questions, all the while piecing together what most likely happened on the end of Med-Tech.

When they walked into the new apartment for Mr. Myers, he nearly cried. An open kitchen and living space that was clean, fresh, and lit with sunlight. Neighbors walked by his door waving and introducing themselves and he smiled back at them.

In the bedroom was a queen-sized bed with fresh linens, a dresser, a television mounted on the wall and a recliner in the corner.

“This is all for me?” he asked in a choked voice.

“Yes, sir,” said AJ. “Refrigerator is stocked, as we said, rent is paid for ten years, and a bank card will be delivered this afternoon with enough on it that you’ll never have to touch your social security for anything. Oh, and your medical bills have been paid.”

“Why? Why would you do this?” he said staring at them. Tanner smirked and stood, saluting the man, AJ doing the same.

“Semper Fi, Mr. Myers. Semper Fi.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“What did that mean? Semper Fi?” asked Everest in the car.