The Darkest Little Paradise

Filler

Dani and Estee return to the hospital and find Mrs B pacing back and forth in the hallway. She strides towards the both of them.

“Where have you girls been?”

“We were in the bathroom...Dani needed a hand so I went to help her.” Estee lies while looking at Dani and her mom back and forth.

“What? I searched the bathroom, but you guys weren’t there” Mrs B demanded an answer.

“Weee..we went to the one on the second floor” Estee made it look more like a question since she wasn’t sure if her mother had checked all the bathrooms in the hospital.

Dani sits down on the chair Mrs B had been sitting on an entire night.

“Estee, I need to grab some cash from the bank” Mrs B ordered Estee.

“What? Mom why? All the banks are closed now.”
Dani was listening carefully.

“Wait, didn’t Benjamin pay all the dues? So what are they charging us now for?” She inquires.

“Well, the doctors said they need more money to carry out the surgery and run some tests… I don’t know, he said something but, I couldn’t understand and you both weren’t here.”

Estelle thinks for a minute. She realises she might have been a little too harsh with Benji back at the precinct especially now when she needs his help.

Estee wasn’t going to get money from home at this hour of the night.

She picks up her phone and dials Benjamin’s number. She did not have it saved, but it’s one of the five phone numbers she remembers by heart.

Her worried expression vanished the moment he picked up the phone.

“Estee? I am so glad you called. I-” Benjamin smiled with glee.

“Save it for some other time?” Estee’s voice did not sound happy.

“Es, What’s wrong?” Benjamin questions.

Estee could sense concern taking over his sincere smile.

“Umm… the doctors, they are asking for more cash. Some tests they want to run and some for proceeding with surgery. I wouldn’t really bother you but I mean it is late and the banks would be closed and I don’t feel like going home to grab some cash… is there any way you could help” Estee’s voice breaks down at help.

“Estee, I will be there. Don’t worry!” Benjamin hangs up the call.

After a few moments of waiting, Benjamin arrives with an orange envelope in his hand. He was out of breath. He ran as fast as he could to grab the cash he had stashed at his home.

“I am here, let me go to the reception and pay the cash” Benjamin announced when he entered the hallway.

Estee was sitting on the ground; she got up and took a breath of relief.

“I'll come with you” Estee announced.

Benjamin nodded and they both started walking towards the reception.

After a few moments, they return and find the doctor walking away from the operation theatre. Estee looks at Dani and her mom with a worried look.

“What happened, mom?”

“They said they are taking a break. From what? I. DON’T. KNOW.”

“It’s ok, mom, wait here.” Estee walks towards where the doctors went.

Benjamin followed her.

“Hey, why aren’t you guys in the operation room?” Estee grunted.

“Listen, lady look at the time. It's past midnight.” One of the surgeons hissed back.