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Riley wiped her eyes a final time, straightened her posture, and turned to the doctor. “What do I need to do?”
• • •
Ben squinted into the afternoon sun, his shades left behind at his audition in Chelsea. She’s jumping in so fast. “Are you sure about this?” He threaded his fingers through Riley’s, giving her hand a squeeze as they walked to the convenience store near Maggie’s apartment. “It sounds… risky.”
“All operations involve risk, even simple ones.” She swerved, pulling Ben off the sidewalk, so two boisterous kids on scooters could fly past, their golden retriever loping behind. “So, whatcha hungry for? I’m gonna make Mom quesadillas. I might have pasta—no! A burger.”
Now’s not the time to talk burgers! “This isn’t wisdom tooth surgery. It’s removing half a vital organ—an actual organ, Riles! And how do you know you’re a match?”
“I’ll find out after an evaluation.” Her eyes, still puffy from crying earlier, lingered over her shoulder, following the dog.
“You mean tests, right?”
She smiled, watching the pet disappear.
She’s stalling. His posture stiffened. “Riley, what tests?!”
“Oh, nothing scary.” Her voice was cheery as she flashed a ‘Don’t worry!’ grin. “It’s stuff like a chest x-ray, abdominal ultrasound, CT scan. There’s also a psych assessment, which…” She lifted her chin. “I’m thinking of starting therapy again.”
“Really?” Ben’s tight expression eased slightly. “Riley, that’s great.” He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it. “I’m proud of you, going back.”
She grinned and resumed swinging his hand in hers. “Mom mentioned it a few months ago, but I wasn’t ready. I am now. I’m going to do this properly, all of it—therapy, the donation, blood tests, liver biopsy…” Glancing away, she quickly mumbled the last two words, taking in a jagged breath.
What? Did…? Ben’s eyes widened. “Did you just say liver biopsy? Jeez, Hope! That’s—”
“The biopsy isn’t for sure. It’s a…maybe.” She tugged him to the right, turning onto a side road.
“Did you sign something already?” Tinged with worry, his voice rose an octave.
“No, not yet. Mom’s appointment with the transplant hospital is Monday. They’ll decide if she’s a good candidate and put her on the list.”
“You going to that?”
She shook her head. “She wants to go on her own in case it’s bad news. I said that’s why she shouldn’t go on her own, but she won’t budge. I have to pick my battles. I’ve won the ‘I’m donating’ fight, so I’m not pushing it.”
“So, she still goes on the waiting list even though her liver is coming from you?”
“Yep, and once she’s on the list, her insurance company is notified, and then I go for my evaluation.”
“So, you’re on hold for bit.”
“Kinda, but I can find out my blood type on Monday. It only takes a few minutes. I’d go tomorrow but…”
“Oh, yeah, Erika’s wedding.”
Riley frowned. “My heart’s not really into bouquet tosses right now.”
“But you’re a maid of honor—you can’t blow it off.”
She sighed. “I know, but…Erika and I, we’re not as close as we were, and with everything with Mom—”
“Riley, I’ve already said I’ll hang with Maggie.” He adjusted his backpack on his shoulder. “Tomorrow is booked off, and it’s not like Erika will miss me.”
“But I will. I’d have fun if you were there, taking the piss out of everything.” Riley smiled. “But I’m glad you’ll be with Mom. Today was hard and I know you’ll cheer her up.”
“Yeah, she said she can’t wait to tell me her embarrassing teenage Riley stories!”
“Hey!” She stepped in front of him, blocking his progress. “Be nice to me, Brit boy. I’ve got blood tests on Monday, remember? Big scary needles…”
