34. The Ranch at Death Valley. The ambulance pulled in smoothly

The Ranch at Death Valley. The ambulance pulled in smoothly under the dimming light of the desert sunset. With the utmost care, the paramedics lowered the bed, the faint clink of the IV stand accompanying the rhythmic hum of medical machinery. The transparent line of intravenous drips glimmered faintly, the lifeline delivering vital glucose to a body not yet ready to handle the burden of regular sustenance. His system, fragile and unyielding, demanded this delicate equilibrium to sustain itself.

As the bed was wheeled into the estate, Ted oversaw every detail with a vigilant eye. The manager of The Jack Estates had already arranged for round-the-clock care—a trio of strong, capable nurses to rotate shifts, ensuring no moment of neglect. Emergency protocols were prepped, with every contingency accounted for. Gramps wouldn’t just be cared for; he’d be protected.

Clinics, Ted reflected grimly, are places where the illusion of healing is entwined with the unspoken mandate: patients mustn’t die in their care. Not only is it a matter of human decency, but it’s also reputation—and reputation, in turn, attracts more patients, bolsters trust, and ultimately fills coffers. It’s a ruthless cycle, one Ted couldn’t help but resent.

As the bed was maneuvered into position, Ted’s mind drifted to the staggering expenses incurred over the past three weeks. A quiet bitterness gnawed at him. Clinics, unlike subsidized hospitals, were designed to cater to the few who could afford their care—a polished facade with price tags hidden beneath. “A little more expensive,” Ted thought wryly, “is an understatement.” Yet he couldn’t deny that the care Gramps had received was top-tier. The question lingered, though: why did the right to dignity and recovery have to come at such an exorbitant cost?

Ted’s gaze softened as he looked at Gramps, frail but alive, his chest rising and falling with a steadiness that was once uncertain. For all his cynicism, for all the questions about wealth, privilege, and care, Ted felt a quiet resolve. No amount of money could outweigh the hope that Gramps might yet reclaim the warmth of life—and the love of those who had waited too long to give it.