Page 73 of Wild Mistake
I should have left then.
I wonder if he was cheating already, or if that came later.
His annoyance at my lack of energy and sex drive started years before I finally figured out what had been causing my health problems.
I’m not the first woman whose health concerns were brushed off. I wouldn’t be the last. But having a supportive partner, someone willing to fight for answers, would’ve meant everything.
Aiden would have.
I know in my heart he would.
I really fucked up when it came to picking a life partner. But for some reason all of my choices have brought me back here, to the man I should’ve married. If I could go back in time, I’d tell that young woman to fight a little harder. To not give up.
But life doesn’t come with a crystal ball. I can’t go back. I’m stuck with the repercussions of the choices I’ve made.
Taking a deep breath, I call the pharmacist back. I give her my personal information, waiting for her to find my account and the medication in question. I shouldn’t feel an ounce of shame or embarrassment, but for some reason those are the exact emotions that come up as I explain to this stranger that I’m no longer insured.
“Oh, okay,” she says. “Did you still want the refill?”
“How much is it if I pay out of pocket?”
“Without insurance?”
“Yeah.” Irritation prickles through my body and my heel bounces on the floorboard as I wait for her to look it up.
“Ma’am?”
“Yes.”
“The new total is nine hundred dollars for the month’s supply.”
“Nine . . .” I can’t even say it aloud. How the fuck do people survive like this? “That can’t be possible. I need this medication to function. Is there a generic brand or a substitution?”
“Not that comes up in our system. You can contact your doctor. They would need to send over a new script. Though, you might need an appointment for that depending on the date of your last visit.”
“Yeah, well, since I don’t have insurance, I can’t just go see my doctor.” I don’t even know if I could afford a visit.
“I’m sorry. I don’t make pricing decisions. I’m just the messenger.” She’s right.
I try and calm down, because this isn’t her fault. She doesn’t deserve my anger.
“So, would you like me to cancel the refill?”
“Uh.” I am still shocked. Maybe there’s a program I can apply for? Maybe there’s some kind of insurance I could qualify for. I could always ask my parents for money. I shake my head, because there’s no way I could bring myself to do that. Fuck. “I’ll have to call you back.”
A knock at my car window startles me. I jump. My heart pounds at the unexpected presence. I glance through the glass and find Aiden waving.
I press a hand to my heart and push open the door. “You scared the shit out of me.”
“Sorry.” He laughs, holding a hand out and helping me exit my car. “I thought you saw me. I wasn’t sneaking up on you, I swear.”
“I was distracted.” I blink back the tears in my eyes, hoping he won’t notice.
But I can’t get anything past this man. “What happened?” His arms go to my shoulders, his gaze scanning my face and body. “Are you okay?”
“It’s fine.”
“Yeah, I cry in my car all the time.” His frown deepens. “Sarah, what’s wrong? You can tell me.”
