“The coverage was terminated three days ago for nonpayment.”

“The policy rider was fully paid through December,” I said.

“I checked the corporate premium statement myself.”

“The state system shows a signed cancellation waiver filed by the primary account holder on Tuesday,” Brenda said.

“Without active insurance or a six-hundred-dollar deposit up front, I can’t give you an intake badge for the ultrasound room.”

“I have seventy dollars cash,” I said.

Brenda looked at the bill in my hand, then down at the seven-hundred-dollar private clinic deposit receipt pinned to my file jacket.