He and Ann had three children, a boy and two girls who never learned of the birth name and origins of their father. Memories of his time in prison never left him.
And so, when Fred turned sixty-five and became eligible for Social Security and Medicare benefits, he fused to apply.
“Freddy, be realistic, you have to,” Ann told him. “We agreed we can’t live on your pension and you’re getting too old to work. We must have those Social Security checks and coverage for medical bills.”
“We’ll manage. I’m tough, I can keep working and besides, the government is supposed to provide doctors and hospitals for everyone just like they do in other countries. Even the Communists provided free care- such as it was.”
“We don’t have national Health Insurance, you old curmudgeon, but we have Medicare and you have arthritis in your hands and knees so don’t pretend you can keep working. You signed up for Social Security to have benefits when we need it. That went fine, damn it, and it will be fine again.”