“Paige doesn’t need a kidney. Who told you that?” Dr. Stephens looked as baffled as I was.
“Doesn’t lupus sometimes cause kidney failure, and she would need a transplant? I’d like to know how I get tested.”
It seemed I wasn’t the only one who Googled.
“Evan, stop. You’re not giving me a kidney.” I reached for his arm and he glared at me.
“Making another decision for me, are you?” He cocked an eyebrow.
“We aren’t there yet. Once Paige starts to feel better, her kidneys should be less of an issue. If not, we’ll weigh our options then. I’m going to have them bring you that oatmeal so you can take your first dose.” She walked over to my bed and put her hand on my shoulder. “I told you I’d get you out of this flare and I will. Have a little faith.” I smiled and nodded as she left the room.
“Evan—” Evan put his hand up and shook his head.
“I don’t want to hear it. If giving you one of my kidneys keeps you alive, then that’s what I’ll do if the time comes. I don’t work without you. I can’t live without you. Has that not sunk in yet?” I chuckled at how irritated he was. “What’s so funny?”
“Your kidneys wouldn’t be a good fit anyway.” I leaned back on the pillows and adjusted the nasal cannula that fed me oxygen.
Evan’s brow furrowed. “Why is that?” He climbed into the bed and put his arm around me.
“Your kidneys are probably too muscular, like the rest of you.” I shrugged. “They wouldn’t fit. I’m too little.”
Evan rested his chin on top of my head. “I managed to fit something else that’s kinda big inside your tiny little body. What’s the difference?” I laughed, then started a coughing fit.
Getting better would take a long time, and it wouldn’t be easy, but I had a lot to live for. I was ready to accept all the unknowns if it meant I could stay with the people I loved.
Prednisone was a miracle. A devil and an angel wrapped in a pill. After a couple of days at the high dose, my throat started to clear up and I could finally eat. The cough still lingered, but I needed less and less oxygen. I was transferred to a regular room after almost a week.
Evan finally went back to work. He’d been afraid to leave my side for days, but I convinced him to come here in the late afternoons after the office closed. My mom, Ellie, Natalie, and my aunt and uncle all visited as much as they could, so I was never alone. I was starting to feel better, and to the point of being bored out of my mind. I’d asked Evan to bring my laptop to the hospital so I could do a little work. He said it was great that I wanted it, but absolutely not. Between Evan and Mom, I was surprised they let me cut my own meat.
After two more weeks, I needed out. I’d had enough hospital and wanted to go home. Dr. Stephens wanted to check everything one last time before she discharged me. My lungs weren’t the greatest, but I could breathe without oxygen, and eating was an enjoyable activity again. The high dose of prednisone made me manic, but as I lay in bed, I couldn’t do anything about it. I felt like a car revving to take off, but stuck, so my wheels just spun out of control while I went nowhere.
Me: Would you mind making a stop on the way to the hospital?
Texting without stiff, painful fingers was wonderful. Thanks for that too, prednisone.
Evan: Your wish is my command, Daisy. What do you want?
This being babied thing, I had to admit, didn’t totally suck.
Me: Promise you won’t laugh?
Evan: Never.
Me: Chicken nuggets and French fries from McDonald’s.
Evan: Anything you want. I could get you the happy meal toy, too. I think it’s My Little Pony. ;)
Me: Very funny. Thanks, babe. I love you.
Evan: I love you, too.
“Hey, can I come in?”
I put my phone on the nightstand and smiled at my uncle in the doorway.
“Sure, Uncle John.”
He came over to the bed and kissed my forehead. “So, I hear you’re getting out soon.”
I nodded. “Dr. Stephens wants the results of a few more tests. I’ve already been here for over a month. I want my own bed, my own shower. I don’t even remember what condition I left my apartment in. My life was on hold for so long. I just want it back.”
“I think you already have some of it back. You’re a pretty tough cookie.”
I shrugged. “Amazing what you can do when you have no other choice. I keep thinking about that dream I had of Jack. I miss him. Especially now.”
Uncle John shook his head. “I don’t think that was a dream. I think Jack really came to see you.”
I pursed my lips. “You believe in that stuff, Uncle John?” He chuckled and squeezed my hand.
“It’s not a question of believing. I just know my son. After we had Jack, we found out we couldn’t have any more children. Then, just after you turned a year old, your father . . . well we may not have set out to only have one child but that’s what God had planned for all of us.” Uncle John gave me a sad smile. “It was our greatest joy to see the two of you grow up to be so close, closer than any brother and sister I knew. It was a blessing I will always be grateful for. Even when you fought, you loved each other fiercely. Love doesn’t end in death. It stays with you. And Jack’s number one priority since you were babies was to look out for you. You needed him, and he came. He wouldn’t have had it any other way.”
Tears streamed down my cheeks as I nodded. I chuckled and thought it would be just like my cousin to find a way to come down from heaven just to call me an idiot.
“How’s Jack Junior? I’m the worst godmother ever. He’s probably gotten so big.” My uncle dug his phone out of his pocket and showed me his latest picture. He looked just like Jack, the same blue eyes, dirty blond hair, and up-to-no-good smirk.
“Somebody wanted McDonald’s?” Evan strolled into my room with a big smile and a happy meal box. I laughed and turned to my uncle.
“He spoils me, Uncle John.” My uncle rose from his seat and squeezed Evan’s shoulder.
“He better.” He gave me a wink and kissed my forehead. “I’ll see you when you get home.”
“Thanks for coming, Uncle John. I love you.”
“I love you, too. You just keep it up.” He shook Evan’s hand on his way out.
I grabbed the box from Evan and tore into it.
“You even remembered the sweet and sour! You’re the best, babe.” I grabbed his face and kissed his lips.
“I’d never thought seeing you eat would make me so happy. I’ll buy you McDonald’s every day if you want.” He sat on the edge of the bed and stole a fry.
“Nah, once I’m out it’s back to dieting. I keep seeing visions of myself as the Stay Puft marshmallow girl.” I cringed.
“Stop trying to turn me on; we’re in a hospital.” I shoved his shoulder and took a slurp of my apple juice. “I figured I’ll stay with you for a while after you come home.” He raised his hand to stop me from saying anything. “It would make me feel better. So, please don’t fight me. Provided I get my key back . . .” Evan raised his eyebrows at me.
I nodded. “I was actually thinking about that.”
Evan narrowed his eyes. “You were?”
I shrugged. “Maybe you could stay, you know, for good. Just to make you feel better, of course.” I smirked at him as I dipped my fries in ketchup.