If The ER Can't Refuse To Treat You, Then Why Should I Pay My Medical Bills?
Semi’s eyelids were heavy as she fought the sleep that clawed at her eyes. They had been sitting in the waiting room for what felt like an eternity. A barely lucid song now scribbled in her notes app and an energetic beat tucked into the files on her phone that had gotten them several disapproving stares. That meant it was perfect, Semi deliriously chuckled to herself as she watched Subong splayed across the chair asleep. She looked up to see a man in a white coat walking towards them.
The doctor cleared his throat and looked at Subong. “Excuse me, sir.”
Semi smacked Subong on the chest. “Wake-up.”
Subong blinked his eyes and furrowed his brow. “What?”
The doctor exhaled. “I’m here to tell you that your baby has been delivered, if you want to go see her in the nursery.”
Semi held back a laugh and glanced over at Subong before facing the doctor. “So, what about Junhee?”
The doctor looked over at Semi. “What is your relation to the patient, ma’am?”
Semi rubbed her eyes and stifled a yawn. What had Subong said? That he was Junhee’s boyfriend or something? She should have asked. Semi paused before gesturing towards Subong. “He’s my brother.” Yeah, that probably made sense.
The doctor nodded. “Well then, I can lead you back to her.” He gestured down the hall and looked at Subong. “A nurse will show you to the nursery.”
Subong gave a half-awake, confused nod as Semi followed the doctor into the back. The doctor pulled back a curtain to reveal Junhee lying in a hospital bed. Her face was tinted pink and painted with exhaustion. The strands of her hair stuck to her face with sweat. Semi let out a small gasp; she didn’t know it was possible to look so angelic, as the rising sun hit Junhee’s face, blanketing it in a soft glow.
Junhee looked over at Semi and smiled. “You made it.”
Semi nodded and stood next to the bed, where Junhee grabbed Semi’s hand and pulled her close.
“Sorry, I wasn’t able to come with you.” Semi lamented.
Junhee looked at her lap and played with Semi’s hand. “I’m glad you weren’t here; it was honestly so embarrassing.” Junhee’s face turned red.
Semi smiled and picked up both of Junhee’s hands and looked her in the eyes. “I would never judge you for anything.”
Junhee gave Semi a soft smile. “That’s why…” She trailed off.
Semi furrowed her brow. “What’s wrong?”
Junhee bit her lip. “No, it’s nothing. I’m sorry—just the adrenaline.” She laughed awkwardly.
Semi rubbed Junhee’s hands. “Just know that—you can tell me anything.” She snorted. “I won’t judge, honestly I don’t even think I can judge. Nothing can top some of the cringe things I’ve done.”
Junhee chuckled. “No way, you’re too cool for anything you do to be considered cringe.”
Semi chuckled. “Thanks.”
Junhee smiled. “You’re welcome.” She paused. “You’re really amazing. I—I love you.”
Semi’s heart skipped a beat. Junhee needed to stop saying things like that while doing the little smile and head tilt that made her brown eyes shine in a way that warmed Semi’s soul. Junhee was about to give her a heart attack.
Junhee noticed Semi’s silence. “Oh, I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”
Semi looked over at Junhee. “Oh, no. You’ve never made me uncomfortable.” Semi let go of Junhee’s hands. “I’m sorry. I know you don’t mean it like that.”
Junhee did the head-tilt thing again. “What are you talking about?”
Semi bit her tongue. “Sorry, I’m just tired and saying stupid shit. It’s nothing.”
Junhee sighed. “Oh, okay.”
Semi studied Junhee’s face. She seemed disappointed. “You’re one of my closest friends. Sure, we haven’t known each other long, but I care about you a lot.” Semi paused. “And I trust you. If you did something that bothered me? I would tell you, okay?”
Junhee nodded. “Just friends.” She muttered.
Semi paused and looked at Junhee. “Wh-”
“Señorita, your baby is so small and pink!” Subong interrupted, bursting into the room and pulling Junhee into a hug that made her wince.
Semi smacked Subong’s shoulder. “She just gave birth. Be gentle.”
Subong pulled away. “Sorry, señorita.”
Junhee chuckled. “I’m okay.”
Subong clapped his hands. “We made a song.”
Junhee looked back and forth between Semi and Subong. “Huh?”
Subong slung his arm over Semi’s shoulder, pushing her off balance. He started to lay down a beat, and he looked at Semi. Semi sighed and pulled out her phone, turning on the backtrack before clicking open the lyrics.
New beginnings, but still old winnings
Gotta find new space for the light within em
Gather together, no matter the weather, stay fighting til the end cause together we’re tethered
Together, together, together, better, better, better
Precious little babies, fighting for maybies, started getting cagey
But I’ll weather the pain, stay in the rain
Got a ticket on this train, worth any strain
Family never wane, nah we shoulder it all, never fall
Hold your head tall, together we’re never small
All winning at this new beginning, I’m grinning
Winning, winning, winning
We’re the best, never rest, put our bonds to the test, gonna make it out this mess cause we’re more than the rest
Must confess
We waited and held our breath, lungs tight in the chest
But fuck it, we’re the best, we’re the best
Subong finished with a goofy, exaggerated bow.
Junhee snorted before clapping. “That was actually not bad.”
“Yeah, it was amazing, señorita.” Subong grinned.
Semi snorted and rolled her eyes. “It was written and produced in five hours.”
Junhee chuckled and nodded. “But, thank you.”
Subong spread out his arms. “No problem, señorita.”
The doctor stepped back into the room and looked at Junhee. “We’ve administered all of the baby’s shots and her test results are looking normal. You should be able to see her soon.” Then the doctor scurried off at the sound of his pager.
Semi glanced over at Junhee. “We don’t have any money for the bill. We need to dip as soon as we get the baby.” She paused. “Did you come up with a name?”
Junhee pursed her lips and her face got red. “No. They still haven’t given me the paperwork, though. I like Haeun or Somin, but I can’t decide.”
Subong gave a thumbs-up and nodded. “Both are cute.”
“You could combine them. Like Haemin.” Semi suggested.
Junhee hummed. “Haemin is a boyish name, though. I think I like Haeun.”
Semi smiled. “Yeah, baby Haeun…” She trailed off.
A nurse stepped in through the door. “I have your papers, Mrs. Kim.” She handed Junhee a clipboard with a short stack of papers on it, then she left the room.
Semi peered over at the papers on Junhee’s lap. “Why’s it asking for billing info? Don’t you have insurance?”
Junhee stared at the paper. “Oh, it didn’t cover the pain medication.”
Semi huffed. “That’s stupid. Put the president’s address or something.”
Junhee giggled. “Oh, look, they have my parents’ address on file.”
Semi smirked. “That’s good too.” She glanced over at the clock. “We should get out of here, though. Before they ask for bank accounts and shit.”
Junhee glanced over at Semi as she filled out the birth certification papers. “How will we leave with Haeun, though?”
Semi looked over at Subong who was staring intently at the patterns on the curtains. “Can you get Junhee out? I’ll grab Haeun.”
Subong stared at her. “Who’s that?”
Junhee giggled and Semi rolled her eyes. “The baby, dumbass.”
Subong clapped his hands. “Oh, you chose a name, señorita!” He nodded and looked at Semi. “Yeah, I gotcha.”
Semi nodded before looking at Junhee. “Do you know how they identify the babies in the nursery?”
Junhee nodded. “With the baby’s family name and my room number.”
Semi nodded. “So…?”
Junhee stared at her for a second before understanding flashed through her eyes. “We’re in room 222.”
“Okay.” Semi looked at Junhee as she headed out to the hallway. “And your family name is Kim?”
Junhee nodded. “Yes.”
There was a giggle from the corner of the room and Semi looked back at Subong who was grinning like he won the lottery. “They put my family name.” He snickered. “Fuck you, MG Coin.”
Semi sighed and looked at Junhee. “I mean, who really cares about family names nowadays?”
☺
It had been scarily easy for Semi to sneak into the nursery and grab the baby, whose cradle read Room 222, Choi. Getting out had been a little trickier, but she managed to avoid all the nurses and hopefully stay in the camera blind-spots.
Now, they were finally on the train. Semi looked down at the baby in her arms as they rode the train home; all three of them sitting down and for once not getting any looks over it. Semi smiled and rocked the baby in her arms to keep it calm. Junhee leaned against Semi’s shoulder; a big smile on her face as she watched the baby wiggle slightly in Semi’s arms.
“She’s so perfect.” Junhee breathed.
Semi smiled. “She really is.” She looked up at Junhee. “She has your eyes.” Then Semi looked back at the baby. “You’ll grow up to be pretty, just like your mama.”
Beside Semi, Junhee shifted slightly, and if her body temperature got a few degrees warmer? Well, who was really paying attention. Junhee wrapped her coat around herself tighter and looked at Subong. “Did you get my clothes?”
Subong stared at her and blinked. “I mean… There was like piss on it. Sorry, señorita.”
Junhee’s face turned red and Semi smacked Subong’s arm. “Her water broke. That happens to pregnant people when they go into labor.”
Subong stared at them. “Oh, my bad, señorita.”