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“It’ll pay for some medications, taxis to the doctor, a few bills even,” said Ben.

“I was going to tell you…” Riley leaned toward her mom.

“You kids…” Maggie shook her head as she blinked back sudden tears. “I don’t know what to say. Thank you.”

“You’re not mad?” asked Riley.

Maggie shook her head. “You did this out of love, wanting to help…” She fanned her face, unsuccessfully trying to curb her tears. “Come here, all of you.” Riley, Ben, and Piper left their seats to gather around her for a group hug.

Ben tried his best to keep it together while the girls found Maggie’s tears too contagious.

“Okay, let’s stop this crying.” Maggie laughed, wiping her eyes. “Ben, I’ve got one condition: if you have the operation, I want you to move in with me while you recover.”

“Uh, really?” Ben raised his eyebrows. “Why?”

Maggie touched his forearm. “That crowdfunding money could help both of us and stretch a lot further if you stayed here. You wouldn’t have to pay rent or buy your own groceries, and we could schedule follow-up appointments together, take one cab to the hospital instead of two.”

“Yeah! I’m not letting either of you take public transport while you’re recovering.” Riley tossed back her water with an emphatic glug. “And selfishly, both of you living here would be a huge help. You could keep tabs on each other. I’d worry a lot less when I head back to work.”

“And Riley would only have to visit one place to see both of you—saves time.” Piper popped a cucumber slice in her mouth, proud of herself.

“I know my foldout couch isn’t the Four Seasons, but—”

“Believe me, Mom, your foldout is better than that sad sofa Ben sleeps on at Hunter’s.” She pointed her fork. “Don’t deny it. You’re always complaining about how lumpy it is.”

“I don’t know…” Ben winced, shaking his head. “I’d feel like I was imposing.”

“You won’t be—I want you here,” said Maggie. “I can’t let you do this without a little mothering.”

Riley nodded at Ben. “She’s right.”

“I’m not gonna win this argument, am I?” Ben smiled and reached for Maggie’s hand. “Deal.”

Fifty-One

Nine days later

Ben wouldn’t stop playing with the plastic anatomical model of a liver he’d found on the doctor’s desk. “I know, right? Hunter is such a legend! He didn’t even let on he was doing a fundraiser, crafty bastard!”

“Twelve hundred dollars? How many lap dances is that? I have to thank him. Can you give me his—” Looking up from her chair, Riley did a double take. “Ben, put that back! The surgeon will be here any minute. You might brea—”

The plastic gallbladder pinged off. “Ahh, shit!” He ducked out of his chair, retrieving the errant organ from across the desk.

“Ben!”

Just my luck! He couldn’t get the gallbladder to snap back into place. “What’s the crowdfunding page at now, then?” he asked, examining the two organs closely, trying to see how they might reconnect.

“Just over four thousand—Ben, hurry—”

“Sorry to keep you waiting.” Dr. Ricer, one of the surgeons on the transplant team, strode through the door, shutting it behind him. “Please, have a seat.”

Ben smiled, hid the broken organs behind his back, and sat down.

“Beautiful day today.” Riley smiled, trying to distract the doctor.

“Summer’s last gasp—must enjoy it while we can.” Dr. Ricer opened Ben’s file on the desk. “So, I’m not sure congratulations is the right word, but Benjamin…you’re in!” The surgeon grinned behind his neatly trimmed beard. “The donation team agreed you’d be a suitable donor for Maggie.”

“Brilliant! Drinks are on me!” Catching the doctor’s smile slip, Ben corrected course. “Just joking!”