[ Chapter VIII (8): "EXPENSIVE MEDICAL EXPENSES" ]
[ "Are you sure ma'am? Your son really doesn't look like he has any problem in the head..." ] The Neurologist asked, someone who has deep black circles under his eyes- likely to not have slept for days.
[ "Though, uhh, yes. He did lose his memory, that part of the story is true." ] He added, causing both Michael and his mother (Lanna) to be dismayed. More so the latter, the former, merely acting.
[ "Oh wow, so... amnesia, right? That's... that's cool." ] It isn't. He doesn't have it, but the pain in his mother's eyes was different case; she really did lost her son, and now the reason for that is unknown.
[ "Shhh." ] His Mother shushed at him, forcing herself not to get emotional- least they be kicked out of the hospital.
[ "There's nothing 'great' about losing your memories, Mikey." ]
She eyed the MRI Scan which the doctor is holding, she can't read it, she didn't study to be a doctor after all. But still, she was curious about something.
[ "H-how is this even possible, how can my son suddenly lose his memories out of nowhere?!" ] Slightly raising her voice.
[ "Well, Mrs. Vanderbilt, there are many types of amnesia out there; surprisingly, though rare, there is one called Dissociative Amnesia." ] He continued, [ "Other studies also calls it Psychogenic Amnesia." ]
Michael and his mother listened attentively, the latter wanting answers, while the former is in a sudden realization, as if remembering something he studied but forgot in the long run, but then remembered.
Oh yeah, that condition does exist. How could I forget? Which is actually the case in this situation, as he thoughts to himself.
[ "Your son, Mrs., may have experienced psychological trauma or stress rather than the common cause of amnesia- which is physically injury, thus the scans not showing any abnornality..." ]
The doctor suddenly paused, closing his eyes for an extended period of time. Either thinking, or catching up on sleep.
Michael actually thinks he is doing the latter, as he notices the man's eyelids rapidly blinking when he finally opened it seconds later. More energized than before.
Poor guy. He thought, thanking the doctor inside his head and wishing that he may actually get some quality sleep after this session. That, or rest forever.
[ "Well... that is my hypothesis, so far..." ]
[ "So... far...!" ] His mother asked, in a supposed questioning tone that came out more as anger- which masks the sadness she is feeling inside.
[ "Yes, and I'm sorry, Mrs., at the moment there is no cure for Dissociative Amnesia." ] The doctor continued, not at all knowing, or caring about the storm brewing inside his patient's mother.
[ "Only love and care, ma'am." ]
About to demand for a solution, whatever that may be, no matter how much it costs. Lanna paused when she heard that, anger subsidding as she repeated what the neurologist just said.
[ "Love... and care?" ] She whispered.
Which earned her an eyebrow raised from the tired-looking doctor, as he confirms, while fidgeting with the MIR Scans, placing it inside a brown envelope. [ "Yeah, exactly what I just said..." ]
[ "Anyways, everything is going to be $400. From the MRI Scan to the consulting, don't worry, I'm not asking for much." ] He added, which caught Michael's mother out of her stupor, mouth agape.
But after some moment of thinking and hesitation, she reached for her wallet with a heavy heart and counted her money. [ "Fine." ] Before then handing it to the outrech hand of the neurologist.
Michael was busy thinking about the hour and half an hour long visit he and his mother had to the nearest private neurologist. Though he did notice the hesitation on her eyes when she handed the money.
Perhaps in this world his mother is a cheapstake, perhaps in reality they're poorer than he expected, or perhaps his mother just hates doctors. He doesn't know, but he thinks all of the above, actually.
[ "Ma'am... you can let go now." ]
[ "Oh-oh... yes, sure, doctor." ]
[ "Then why are you not letting go." ] The smile on the doctor's face slightly faltered as he tries his best to take the money, to no avail that is.
[ "Force of habit, sorry." ] And when she finally let go, the neurologist wa slightly sent flying back; due to him pulling at the money hard exactly when she let go.
Though visibly frustrated by the endeavor, the man didn't show it at his tone as he kept his tone dry and professional. [ "No worries, ma'am. It's... nothing." ]
The doctor and his mother continued to exchange words, mostly it was a recollection of everything that happened. From the test done to Michael, to the MIR Scans, and everything else.
Finally leaving after some time when she was finally satisfied enough to do so, dragging Michael along on his feet like a small baby penguin.
[ "I can't believe this...!" ] She exclaimed, after exiting the small private clinic. [ "$400 for all of that? I could have sworn it would be... lower, like $250 lower." ]
[ "God, american healthcare is really going places." ] She added, visibly frustrated. Something of which Michael is familiar, usually witnessing whenever he comes home from a party or event.
Oh, there goes my mother... again. He thoughts, as the complaining was exactly 1-to-1 to his original mother, albeit all about health care rather than backbitting other people; like churchmates, neighbours, and friends alike.
On their way back home, on foot, Michael let his mother continue to talk about the negatives and failings of the current medical healthcare, both private and otherwise. He kind of... enjoys it, agreeing with her.
Only if you know, mother... He thoughts, as he does after all came from the year 2025, a full 14 years ahead of the year. And yes, everything is going to go downhill from now on, not just healthcare.
While his mother kept complaining, he noticed the park nearby in which they walked pass on. And in it he could see the usual greenery, plus chess players playing with one another; money involved.
The black side seemingly losing against the onslaught of attacks from the white side, before then getting checkmate a second later. He didn't see their reactions, as he was already crossing the street, the park far away from him.
That could... work. He thoughts. Already making a mental note of the betting spot, wanting to both earn money to lessen his mother's burden, and to destroy egos- the local hustlers ego.
As he knows chess like the back of his hand after all. It'll be fun...! He added. Already thinking of how much he'll earn.
And after walking for about 13-15 minutes, Michael and his mother was finally able to get back home- an unfamiliar car on their small drive way. Well, to him that is.
[ "Mikey, I guess your father's home early today." ] His mother said, finally stopping on yapping about the failures of the american healthy system. [ "I wonder why." ]
Yeah... I wonder too. Michael thought, as he then eyed the rusty-looking blue car that his father owns. A stark contrast to the sleek black ones that he had gotten used to seeing his father drive.
[ "Maybe something good happened today." ] He added, his voice cracking on the last part. It was subconcious, as he still fears his Father- even though he's supposedly good in this timeline.
Fist clenching as he followed his mother entering their house, and instantly what greeted them was a lanky-looking man wearing prescribed glasses.
A black necktie hanging loosely around his neck, suit worn which is dusty on some parts. The man paused, and stared at both Michael and his mother. [ "Oh... hi, dear." ]
Before then shyly waving, voice barely above a whisper. Which caused Michael to unclench his fist, surprised by the way his usually cold "father" acts at the moment.
Before then being reminded that, yes. This isn't his original father. But is instead a stranger, practically, a variant of his original father. Or the other way around.
[ "Michael, why the long face?" ]
[ "I-" ] About to speak up and answer his Father's question, a force of habit instilled by discipline. He was cut off.
By his sister who spoke up first, who's hiding in the kitchen eating chocolate chip cookies with glee. [ "Michael lost his memories, dad!" ]
[ "What?" ] He asked, eyeing Michael who didn't have the courage to speak up. But is instead staring at the floor. So he turned to his wife, who then nodded.
[ "Is this... a prank?" ] He asked, still not believing, ready to laught along.
[ "No pranks, Mikey really did lost his memories." ]
[ "..." ] But was cut even more off guard by his wife's serious tone, that was when he was handed an brown envealope by her- one that has a logo in front, from the local neurologist. In which he took.
Eyes darting from left to right, Thomas, Michael's father began to read frantically the scribbling of notes from the doctor, which is hard to read. And look at the MRI Scans, before then finally accepting the fact.
[ "You really do..." ]
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[ FUN FACT: "Your brain is constantly eating itself. This process is called phagocytosis, where cells envelop and consume smaller cells or molecules to remove them from the system. Don't worry! Phagocytosis isn't harmful, but actually helps preserve your grey matter." ]
[ 11/28/2025 ]
[ 11/29/2025 ]