Crossroads

by Tracie Peterson

  “Well, that will be rather difficult to say, especially since he’s still a patient. Charges come in every day, you understand, and there won’t be an account total at this point.”

  “Yes, I understand all that. I just wondered if you could give me an idea of what it has come to so far. You see, we don’t have insurance, and I need to be checking into ways to collect the money. If I don’t have some kind of idea, I’ll be trying to do everything at the last minute.”

  “Of course, I understand. Let me see,” the woman paused, and Leslie could hear the clicking of computer keys. “You said the last name was Haywood?”

  “No, that should be Heyward,” Leslie replied and spelled the name slowly. “Travis is the first name.”

  “Oh, yes, here it is. Hmmm, he spent time in intensive care, right?”

  “Yes, that’s right. He’s in a regular room now, however.”

  “Well, just in keeping with what we have so far, which is current to a point of the charges submitted, I’m showing a total of $12,211.”

  “What?” Leslie said, stunned by the vast numbers being thrown at her.

  “A little over twelve thousand dollars,” the woman replied. “Of course, that doesn’t include the doctor’s charges. He’ll bill you separately for his work.”

  “I had no idea,” Leslie said, taking the phone over to a counter chair where she could sit down. She felt as though the wind had been knocked from her. “And you say the charges are still coming in?”

  “Well, yes. After all, he’s still a patient. The charges will continue to come in for several days after he’s dismissed. You know how it is - several departments with a variety of tasks performed. They try to submit their charges quickly, but it takes time. You will be given a printout of all charges on the date of dismissal, but a complete listing might take as much as thirty days to compile. We’ll mail you one when it’s complete. “

  “I see,” Leslie said, still unable to fathom where she was going to come up with the money. “Do you have any estimate of what I might expect if he stays another, say three or four days?”

  “Well, of course, it depends on what he needs during those days, but I would just round it off to fifteen thousand. Especially given the fact that you have no idea what Dr. Selig’s charges will be. I see his name listed on the chart here, but if you had any other doctors assisting him, you’ll want to remember they will be mailing you charges as well.”

  It was more than Leslie could deal with. “Thank you for your help,” she said rather curtly and got up to hang up the phone. “What am I going to do?”

  She looked around her at the shop and felt despair like she’d never known before. “Fifteen thousand dollars? Oh, God, where am I going to get that kind of money? Please, God, show me what to do.”

  She thought of her accountant, Bill Pendleton. He was a good friend and a Christian whom she’d met at church long ago. She quickly dialed his number, and when his wife answered the phone, Leslie apologized for disrupting their Saturday and asked to speak with Bill.

  “Bill, it’s Leslie Heyward. I have something I need to ask you. It’s pretty overwhelming and I didn’t know what else to do.”

  “That’s quite all right, Leslie. That’s what I’m here for.”

  “Bill, I just talked to the hospital business office about Travis’s expenses.”

  “Say, how’s he doing? I heard from my mom that he might be coming home soon.”

  “Yes, we’re hopeful of that. Maybe another three or four days if he continues to progress the way he has been.”

  “That’s great news. So what happened with the billing office?” In the background a loud crash of some sort disrupted the peaceful conversation. “Leslie, just a minute,” Bill said into the receiver. She heard him instruct his children to go into the other room, and within seconds he was back on the line. “Sorry about that. You were saying?”

  “Bill, the hospital says that I can expect Travis’s account to total fifteen thousand dollars, and that doesn’t include Dr. Selig’s services.”

  Bill whistled. “Wow, that’s quite a chunk.”

  “Yes, and we have no insurance.” There was dead silence on the other end of the line. “Bill, I don’t know what to do about this. Will they let us make payments at the hospital? Can I take a loan for that kind of money? Should I get a second mortgage on the house?”

  “Oh, boy,” Bill said, obviously overwhelmed with the news. “That’s a good question. Well, right off the bat I can tell you that the hospital isn’t going to want to carry a fifteen-thousand-dollar balance, but I’m not sure what their rules are on such things. As for a second mortgage – it’s out of the question. The bank isn’t going to be too inclined to give out money, even though you have good equity in the house. Your only source of income is the shop, and from the last statement you sent me, business is way off. On top of that, you’re already behind in the rent, so I doubt the bank would be willing to offer you much. Certainly not fifteen thousand.” He fell silent for a moment, then added, “Look, I’ll do some checking into this and get back to you.”

  Leslie sighed. “I guess that’s all I can ask of you.”

  “Don’t let this get to you, Leslie. Take it to God in prayer, and I’ll do likewise. There has to be an answer, and God hasn’t let you down yet.”

  “I suppose you’re right,” she murmured.

  “Let me call around, Leslie, and don’t go trying to do anything on your own, okay?”

  “You mean like put the shop equipment up for sale?” she said, only half joking.

  “Exactly,” he replied quite seriously. “If it comes to that, I’ll help you make the necessary arrangements, but Leslie,” he paused and his voice softened, “it doesn’t necessarily have to come to that.”

  “Okay, Bill. If you say so.” She knew the despair was evident in her tone.

  “One last thing, Leslie.”

  “Yes?”

  “Would it bother you if I shared this information with some of the other businessmen in the church? I mean, two or three or even more heads may well be better than one in this case.”

  “No, I don’t have a problem. Everyone there knows the circumstances well enough,” Leslie replied. She knew, too, that the people of her church genuinely cared about her. “Go ahead and do what you need to, and I promise to wait until I hear from you.”

  “Good girl.”

  She hung up the telephone without having gained any sense of peace or comfort from the call. Even her accountant didn’t’ know what to do, and that wasn’t a very encouraging thought.

  “Dear God,” she prayed. “There has got to be a way through this. I believe that, and I know with Your help, nothing is impossible. It just really feels that way. I need You to give me strength and to give me peace. Please let me rejoice in Travis’s health, and don’t let the financial aspects of his recovery draw my attention away from the gift You have given me. Thank You for all You have done and continue to do. Amen.”

  For a moment, Leslie stood perfectly still, allowing God’s peace to fill her heart. It would all work out. She knew it would, because God was with her. With that knowledge, she went back to preparing Crossroads for opening.

  ❧

  “Leslie? This is Bill.” Disappointment flooded Leslie’s heart. She had hoped the ringing would bring Darrin’s voice into her house.

  “Hi, Bill. Sorry I didn’t talk to you at church this morning, but Margie wasn’t feeling well and I wanted to get up to the hospital to see how Travis was faring.”

  “I understand,” he said, not sounding at all comfortable with the conversation.

  “What is it, Bill? Did you find out something I should know about this financial mess?”

  “I talked to some of the guys at church. IN fact, we chatted about half an hour together after the service. I’m afraid we didn’t come up with any concrete solutions. In looking through all of your financial information, the options are quite limited. I’ve asked around, and unfortunately,
it does seem you may well end up having to sell Crossroads. I mean you don’t want to wait until it’s gone under, and you can’t recoup anything from the sale. I am really sorry. I didn’t believe it would have to come to this, but. . .”

  “I understand, Bill.” Leslie felt the bottom drop out of her world. “Thank you for your help. You will come over to help me put things together – you know, decipher the paperwork and such?” Leslie’s stoic voice masked the turmoil of emotions within her.

  “Of course, I will, honey. Don’t you worry. I want you to know that we’re all here for you. I think you’ve done an outstanding job taking care of everything. Your mom and dad would really be proud.” Leslie could almost see his face, filled with compassion and fatherly love. Bill had always been such a good friend. She knew the prospect of selling Crossroads was just as upsetting to the Pendletons as it was to her and Margie. She had grown up knowing the Pendletons as a second family, and Leslie appreciated their unconditional support.

  “Thanks, Bill. Keep me posted, all right?”

  “Definitely. Bye, Les.”

  “Good-bye, Bill.” Leslie hung the telephone back on the cradle.

  Leslie changed out of her Sunday clothes and pulled on jeans. All the while she kept hearing Bill’s voice in her head. Why, God? She asked, taking out a long-sleeved white oxford blouse. Why?

  Doing up the buttons, Leslie felt despair take deep root in her heart. Crossroads had been such an important part of her life. How could she give it up now? How could she sell a business that her parents had created and run profitably all those years, all in order to pay an outrageous hospital bill?

  But it’s not outrageous, she thought. The hospital and doctors had given her back Travis. Oh, she knew full well that it had come at God’s hand, but they were the instruments God had chosen to use. How could she fault them for charging for their services? She would gladly pay ten times the amount they charged, if it meant Travis would live.

  The rattle and crash of pans in the kitchen brought Leslie back to reality.

  Margie. Leslie hadn’t said much to Margie about the hospital bill nor the situation regarding how it might be paid. She’d wanted to save the older woman any upset if it turned out that their worries had been for naught. Now, however, it appeared she was going to have to give Margie the nitty-gritty details and pray it didn’t cause her blood pressure to soar out of control.

  “Margie,” Leslie called, coming into the kitchen. Her aunt was already changed and working on Sunday lunch.

  Turning to face her niece, Margie frowned. “Is something wrong, Les? Was that the hospital calling?”

  “No, it wasn’t the hospital, but well, actually something is wrong. That was Bill Pendleton. I had called him yesterday after talking to the hospital about Travis’s bill.”

  Margie’s face paled a bit. “How bad is it?”

  Leslie tried not to appear overly concerned. “Around fifteen thousand.” She held up her hand before Margie could say anything. “That’s not the exact total so it could be less.”

  “Oh, dear.”

  Leslie worried that Margie herself would soon be in the hospital if she didn’t sit down and relax. “Here,” Leslie said, pulling out a kitchen chair. “Sit down, and I’ll tell you as much as I can.”

  Margie did as instructed, casting a worried gaze upon Leslie. “Don’t lie to me about any of it, Leslie.”

  “I didn’t plan to,” she replied. “I worry about upsetting you, so please understand that no matter what I tell you, I believe God will see us through this.”

  “All right,” Margie replied. “I agree with that philosophy, so lay it on me.”

  Leslie took a deep breath. “Bill thinks we’re going to have to sell Crossroads.”

  “Oh, no!”

  “I didn’t want to worry you until I knew for sure. The only way I could see to deal with it was to see the store, but Bill wanted to talk to some other men from the church before we decided. I guess they arrived at the same conclusion. If we wait too long, the store will lose even more value and the debts against it will climb. So we need to move right away on it.”

  “Leslie, this is awful. What are we going to do?”

  “All that we can do, Margie. Leave it in God’s hands. We always said the store was a service to Him. Even the name Crossroads was given with an intention of ministry behind it. Maybe we’ve done our work and it’s time to move on.”

  Leslie paused to look heavenward. “Maybe it’s even time to sell the house and get something smaller. Travis and I don’t need much room, and you still have your apartment. If I work a normal job with regular house, maybe I can be there for Travis in a better way, and he can get over the emotional damage he’s suffered. I just don’t know, but what I do know is that I have to step forward in faith. I have to keep going.”

  “Yes, yes. I know. I just hate to think of you doing this alone.”

  “I’m not alone. I have God. Everything will work out fine. You’ll see. With or without Crossroads, as long as Travis is well and we have each other, we will be fine.”

  ❧

  After lunch, Leslie drove the familiar route to the hospital. She was excited to see Travis, knowing that each day he seemed to be growing stronger and more healthy. As she made her way through the pediatric wing, she smiled and waved at the different nurses and doctors whom she had come to know as friends. Kelly looked up and nodded a hurried greeting as she filled out some paperwork for the doctor looming over her shoulder. Amy came over and chatted on the way to Travis’s room.

  “Oh, he’s doing so much better, Leslie. All the doctors are really impressed with his recovery. What a little trooper he is!” Amy’s brunette ponytail bounced with each step she took. With all that energy and optimism, it was no wonder she was assigned to work with recovering children.

  “Yes, I am so grateful for all that has been done to help him. You guys really are a Godsend.” Leslie smiled broadly as soon as they entered Travis’s room. “Ah, there he is! How’s my favorite five-year-old?”

  She was relieved to see that the blisters on his face were healing, though Dr. Selig assured her the skin would be tender for months to come. His hands were unbandaged, and the pink skin against his pale arms made him look like he was wearing gloves. Despite her brother’s injuries, Leslie still believed him to be the most handsome boy in the world.

  “Hi, Sissy,” he said brightly.

  After checking his IV and his various monitors, Amy nodded satisfactorily. “Well, I guess I’ll leave you two alone. You seem very healthy, Mr. Heyward.” The little boy beamed at the compliment, and after ruffling his blond hair, Amy left Leslie and Travis in silence.

  “So, how are you feeling, honey?” Leslie pulled one of the chairs next to his bedside and gingerly held his rosy hand.

  “I feel okay, Sissy.” His face assumed a somber look. “I miss my toys, though.”

  Smiling, Leslie nodded sympathetically. “I’ll bet you do. There doesn’t seem to be much fun stuff for a little boy to do in here.”

  “Nope,” Travis shook his head sternly. “And I need fun stuff. I’m a fun boy.”

  “You sure are, Travis. You are definitely a fun boy. But you’ll be back in your fun room soon.”

  Travis’s eyes brightened. “Really? I’ll be home soon? How many days?”

  “Well, Dr. Selig says that you should be able to come home in a couple days. Unless something else happens.”

  “Nothing else is going to happen. I’m all better.”

  “I know, honey. But the doctors want to make sure. You don’t want to have to come back here after I get you home, right?” Travis shook his head. “Well, then, you need to listen to Dr. Selig and do everything he says. Pretty soon, I’ll be able to take you home.”

  For a moment, Travis was quiet. His tiny brow was furrowed, and his eyes were focused on the ceiling. “Leslie, I wanna talk to you.”

  “Sure, baby. What about?”

  “ ‘Bout God. And heaven. And Mam
a and Daddy.”

  “Okay. What did you want to say?”

  “Well, I been thinking ‘bout what you said ‘bout how when Jesus wanted me to come home to heaven, He’d tell me so. And when I went out to see Mama and Daddy that night, I thought I heard Jesus.”

  “What did He say to you, honey?” Leslie softly stroked his arm as he tried to put words to his thoughts.

  “I thought He said I could go home,” Travis replied.

  “Maybe He was telling you to come back home before you got sick,” Leslie offered with a smile.

  “I really wanted to go to heaven, Leslie.” His five-year-old face appeared very serious.

  “I know, sweetie. It’s okay to miss Mom and Dad, but you have to understand that they are gone and waiting for us in heaven. We can’t just pick up the phone and call for God to come get us and take us to heaven, too. We can pray, though. We can tell God how much it hurts, because you know what, Trav? He already knows our pain. He knows how much you hurt and how much you miss your mama and daddy.”

  Travis seemed to grow distant for a moment, so Leslie got up and carefully lifted him in her arms before settling into the bed herself. She lay there with him snuggled in her arms. “Don’t go away, Travis,” she said, her eyes growing moist. “Don’t go away and leave me. I need you. I love you.”

  Travis hugged her tightly. “I love you , Sissy. I won’t go away again.”

  Leslie sniffed back her tears. “I know this is hard for you to understand, but I don’t want you to go away in your mind, either. I want you to talk to me when you’re upset or scared. I want you to trust me to be there for you when you need me. Travis, I know I’ll never be as good a parent to you as Mom and Dad, but I will take care of you. I won’t let anything bad happen to you, if you’ll just let me help you.”

  “I don’t know what you mean,” Travis said, pushing away from Leslie enough to look into her tear-filled eyes.

  “I mean that I don’t want you to hide from me or from God.” Leslie reached up with one hand to touch his head. “I don’t want you to hide away inside your mind. Do you understand? I don’t want you to stop talking to me. I don’t want you to think that you can’t tell me what’s going on in here.” She tapped his head gently.