“Hold still a second Mia.” Kelly, her nurse, said. “Let me take the tube out.”
Mia waited patiently as Kelly removed the apparatus from her arm. This had become commonplace for her. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 7:00-9:00 a.m. Mia had her dialysis. The doctors felt she was beginning to progress, but she just felt worse. After every treatment Mia had a headache and felt nauseous. She had to take a sick leave from her job because some days she could barely function. Her family, friends, and Lance had been supporting her every step of the way. Mia tried to remain upbeat, but sometimes she just couldn’t.
Kara helped Mia to the car and then got into the driver’s seat and started the engine.
“Ready to go home and eat some delicious mush?” Kara asked.
“Oh of course. I can hardly contain my excitement.” Mia joked.
Ever since Mia had started dialysis the doctors had placed her on a very strict diet.
“Is your mom coming over today?” Kara asked.
“Later on. She and my dad are going to the hospital to get the test results to see if they can donate.”
“So then Lance is coming?”
Mia nodded.
“He should be over after 10:00. How late are you working?”
“Until 8:00, but I’m going out afterwards.”
“Okay.” Mia said turning her head to look out the window.
***
Mia yawned and leaned back on the couch.
“Bored?” Lance asked looking up from his laptop.
“Yeah. What are you working on?” Mia said.
“A Happy Place e-mailed me a new script this morning. I was just checking it out.”
“Oh please tell me it’s better than ‘On the Line.’”
“Not really. It’s more like a cross between ‘Ten Things I Hate About You’ and ‘Election.’”
“Huh? Is that possible?”
“That’s what I’m saying.”
Lance closed his computer and sat down next to her.
“What time are your parents coming?”
Mia glanced anxiously at the clock.
“Soon, hopefully.”
Lance put his arm around her shoulders.
“I’m sure one of them is a match.”
“They’re my only chance. The transplant list is a mile long.”
“Well, just keep the faith. So when is Kara coming home?”
“She has to work until 8:00, but she’s going somewhere afterwards.”
“So do you want me to stay here tonight?”
“If you wouldn’t mind.”
“Of course not.” He said kissing her forehead. “Hey!”
“Hay is for horses honey.”
“No goofy. Chris said something about going out tonight.”
“You think?”
“Maybe.”
“Oh, I hope so.”
Just then the doorbell rang.
Mia quickly looked at Lance and he gave her a smile.
“I’ll get it.” He said walking towards the front door.
Moments later Mia’s parents, Katherine and Ben, walked into the living room.
“Hi dear.” Katherine said kissing her cheek.
“How are you feeling?” Ben asked.
“Alright. So tell me.” Mia said.
Katherine looked at Ben and then at Mia and shook her head.
“Neither of us can donate.”
Mia felt sick to her stomach…this was her only chance.
“I don’t understand.” Lance said. “You’re her parents.”
“The doctor ran an antigen match and our tissues weren’t a match for Mia’s.” Ben explained.
“So I’ll stay on dialysis until a transplant comes along?” Mia asked.
“Yes, that’s right.” Katherine said. “The dialysis seems to be working, it’s just a matter of waiting.”
“I don’t think I can wait much longer.” Mia said.
Chapter 6