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“You had to know I’d do this. I know you thought about it too.”
“My blood isn’t compatible or some shit like that.” His father shook his head.
“Why is it okay for you to consider donating but not me? I’m the one in love with him, have been for years. I’m doing it, that’s all there is to it, Dad.” Vaughan kept walking. It was late and there was no one in the quiet halls. Each door they passed was dark, all the departments closed.
“I won’t lose my best friend and risk losing my son.” The elder Mr. Webb continued to protest as Vaughan took long determined strides, his father having no problem keeping up.
“It’s a simple procedure. I’ve done some research and Dr. Chauncey went over it, too. It’s not as invasive as you think. A few punctures for the instruments, a small incision right above the pubic bone to remove the organ, there’s minimal pain and the hospital stay is a day or two at most. Then I’ll be back to work in two to four weeks. Simple”
“I don’t care about the procedures. No, Vaughan. You are not doing this! You are my son! Once I tell Duke, he will forbid you to do this. He’d never let you put yourself—”
Vaughan spun on his heel, his anger simmering hotly below the surface. He’d never disrespected his father a day in his life and didn’t want to start, but he had to let him know that it wasn’t debatable. He stood almost eye-to-eye with the only man he’d loved longer than Duke. If anyone walked by right then, they’d probably call security because it looked like two big ass motherfuckers were squaring off to do some damage to each other. Vaughan controlled his tone, but the rough timbre of his baritone sounded scary even to him. “You must be under the impression that I’m asking for permission.” Vaughan stepped even closer, his eyes boring into his father’s. “I’m doing this Dad, whether you like it or not. I don’t need your permission; I don’t even need your blessing. But Duke and I have a shot at something real, and I’m not ready to let it go. I can’t. Don’t you get that, or have you been alone that long?” Vaughan cringed at that last statement. He saw the pain in his father’s eyes and immediately wanted to take it back. Vaughan swallowed and kept going. “I know you’re scared. I know you don’t want to lose Duke.”
“I don’t want to lose either of you!” he yelled in response.
“And you won’t have to as long as you stand down. If you tell Duke, then you’re right. He’d refuse the surgery. Even if there’s only a zero point five percent mortality risk.” Vaughan cast his eyes down, his voice a mere whisper now. “I don’t even think he’d allow that small amount.”
“He has a right to know.”
“And I’ll tell him myself.”
“After.”
“Yes. After. When I feel it’s time.” Vaughan pointed at his chest. “That’s my decision, not yours.”
“This is crazy.” His dad ran his hand over his messy hair. “I can’t believe this.”
Vaughan gripped Quick’s shoulders and pulled him into him. He felt his dad shake in his arms but he held him as tightly as he had earlier. “I’m gonna save him, Dad. Please. You gotta let me save him. I’m a healthy man. There’s no reason I can’t survive it.” They stayed in the embrace for a while before Vaughan finally pulled back. His heart broke for his dad. He could understand how much it was to digest. Hearing his friend was dying, then his son opting to donate an organ, it’s the biggest challenge they’d ever faced. But Vaughan was a man. He needed to accept that.
“Swear you won’t tell him. Promise me.”
He didn’t say a word.
Vaughan frowned, his blood felt like ice water in his veins. He was trying to control himself, but if his dad messed this up, he wasn’t sure what he’d do. “If you tell him, if you mess this up. I’ll never forgive you.” Vaughan turned and walked away. It was harsh, but reality. It may have been an exaggeration. But if Duke died, he’d definitely get as far away from Atlanta as he could. So where was that? Australia, Indonesia. There was no telling when he’d forgive his father or want to see him again.
Duke tried to turn to his other side and must have cried out at the pain that move caused, because he immediately felt a gentle hand on his cheek, a soothing deep murmur next to his ear. “Easy, sweetheart.”
Vaughan.
Duke tried to open his eyes, the lids heavy from the medication the doctor had pushed when he last checked on him. Insisting that Duke not lie there in excruciating pain. He knew it was his man… Oh goodness… he knew it was Vaughan. He couldn’t refer to him as his man; they wouldn’t have that. Never make it there. He felt moisture run down the side of his face but his eyes were still closed. “Vaughan,” he barely managed. His voice sounded horrible, like he had throat cancer along with all his other ailments.
