“Did you hear ‘bout President Obama’s Health Plan?” asks Willie, changing the subject and spilling more coffee on the newspaper.

“Yeah,” Lizzie groans. “Think United States Government gonna raise taxes to pay for it?”

“We cain’t pay for what we got, Lizzie,” Willie mumbles. “Insurance sho’ is high ain’t it?” He  squeezes   the already wrinkled newspaper. “Dropped insurance I had from m’ last job.” Then he throws his arm up to stifle a cough.

Patting her husband on the back, Lizzie adds, “We poor folks sho’ have a hard time with health insurance payments. And any other kind of  payments, mortgage, gas, lights an’ all.”  

Willie shakes his head in agreement. “Ev’rything is high these days.”  Then glancing down at his worn shoes and mixed matched socks,  he yells, “’Specially the darn health insurance!!”

“Eh dad,”  Joey says, touching his dad’s elbow, “ I wonder ‘bout somethin….’ ”

Taking a last sip of his coffee, Willie turns and looks at Joey.

“Eh, dad, eh, all them folks you just talked ‘bout who packed their bags were rich? Had money?”

Willie  nods his head in agreement.

“Well, if they were rich, they had health insurance, right? Right?”

Again, Willie  nods.

“Well… well,  if they had health insurance —”

“Whoa! Whoa!”  Willie  interrupts, “ but health insurance, Joey my son,  can’t stop you from packin’ yo’ bags. Ev’rybody got a ticket to go. Way-y-y  up yonder to the heavens.”

“But,–“ Joey mumbles.

“It may slow down your departure time,” Willie  laughs. “And this is what most of us folks want.” Than stifling a cough again, he adds,   “Want all the time we can get, and all the help we can get!”

“’Specially us poor folks,” adds Lizzie. “When comes time,” money or no money maybe aren’t going to keep you here, Joey.  So do the best you can in school, Joey-honey, and hope for the best.”

“Well, you two,” grins Willie, “we’re in good company. “Just announced today on the TV news that over 85 million families are without health insurance.”

Then, Willie, saying goodbye, gently wraps his laborer’s arms around Lizzie and Joey , and heads for the bus stop.   As no-job dad, Willie,  steps into the bus doorway, stifling a cough,  his newspaper drops from under his arm.  The wind blown  classified ads, like kites, flutter  skyward and into the heavens.