Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 77824 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77824 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Patting his back, I reply, “I know.”
Chapter 3
Skylar
With every passing day, I become weaker, and Dad grows more frantic.
When Dr. Bentall told us I was out of time, I struggled to process the fact that I’d die soon. A million things went through my mind.
How unfair life is.
I’m too young.
I’ve barely had a chance to live.
What happens when you die?
Is there a heaven, or is it like before you were born, where everything is just black?
I’ll never get to run my own kitchen.
I’ll never make food for Dad again.
I’ll never get married, and Dad won’t walk me down the aisle.
I won’t have children.
It’s unfair.
But the thoughts slowly faded, and in their place, a weird acceptance that ‘it is what it is’ settled in me.
There’s no fighting the inevitable.
Whenever I think something is too hard or impossible to handle, I somehow manage to overcome it. It’s the same with dying. In the end, I’ve made peace with what’s coming, so I don’t lose my mind.
Dad comes into the hospital room, and a tired but happy smile tugs at my mouth. After I accepted my fate, I decided to enjoy every second I have left with my father.
When I’m gone, I want him to remember my smiles and not my tears.
“Hey, Daddy,” I murmur, my tone filled with all the love I have for him.
“Hi, sweetheart.” He sits down on the armchair next to my bed and takes my hand in both of his. Like always, he presses a kiss to the back of my fingers before his eyes drift over every inch of my face.
My smile grows wider, then I say, “Remember when you were dating Mom? Whenever you came over, I would hide in the same stupid spot.” A chuckle escapes me.
The corner of Dad’s mouth lifts. “Behind the curtains in the living room. Your feet would stick out.”
Again, I chuckle. “You’d make a big show of looking everywhere for me.” My fingers tighten around Dad’s. “I have so many special memories thanks to you.”
Dad’s chin quivers, and he clears his throat before he says, “And we’ll make many more.”
His cell phone starts to ring, and letting go of my hand, he digs the device out of his pocket, and walking out of the room, I hear him say, “Please give me good news… I don’t care how much it costs…Yes…Yes…”
I can’t hear more as his voice fades away, but minutes later, he returns with intense relief on his face. Leaning over me, he frames my face, and his eyes lock with mine.
“You’re getting a kidney tomorrow, sweetheart.”
Shock hits me hard, and I can only whisper, “What?”
“I’ve found someone who can help us. The surgery will be tomorrow.” Dad leans closer and presses a kiss to my forehead. “You’re going to be okay.”
The desperate hope I’ve been suppressing explodes in my chest, and instantly, a sob bursts over my lips. For a moment, it feels like I’m having an out-of-body experience, my skin tingling and my heart racing a mile a minute.
Tears sneak from Dad’s eyes, and his voice is hoarse as he says, “You’re going to be okay, sweetheart.”
I can only sob as I nod.
Where my life was over a second ago and I was waiting to die, I’m now filled with dizzying relief and hope.
I’m getting a kidney.
I won’t die.
Renzo
Checking the time, I frown when I see it’s six am.
Giulio went to a club last night and didn’t return. I figured he hooked up with some girl, but he’s always home by six, so he can shower and grab breakfast before we have to head out.
Picking up my phone from the kitchen counter, I dial his number while I take a sip of my coffee.
Instead of ringing, the call goes straight to voicemail, and I wait for the beep before I say, “You better be here in the next five minutes.”
I end the call and tuck the device into the breast pocket of my jacket. Dressed in a dark blue three-piece suit tailor-made for me, I’m ready to get to work. There’s a shitload that needs to be done.
I hate waiting, and Giulio knows this.
He never ignores my calls.
This isn’t like him.
My phone begins to vibrate, and thinking it’s Giulio, I feel relieved as I pull the device out. Instead of seeing Giulio’s name, it’s Elio’s.
Answering, I mutter, “Yes?”
“You have to come right now. I’m in an alley near the NewYork-Presbyterian hospital. I’ll send you the coordinates.”
A frown forms on my forehead as I ask, “Why? What happened?”
“Just come, Renzo!”
The worry I felt a second ago returns with the force of a nuclear weapon detonating in my chest. “Is it Giulio?”
“Yes.”
“I’m on my way!”
Dropping the cup of coffee in the sink, I run out of the kitchen and head for the elevator of my penthouse. During the ride down to the garage, I worry about every single possible thing that could’ve happened to Giulio.