Chapter Six-Don’t Wanna Lose You Now

Mia walked downstairs into the kitchen. She fumbled around in the dark looking for a glass. Mia glanced out the window and saw headlights in the driveway. Curious she peeked out the window and saw Kara standing with someone. Trying to see who it was Mia practically pressed her face against the window…but she was unable to tell. Kara leaned forward and kissed the mystery man. Mia pulled back the curtain and quickly headed upstairs.

“Lance.” She whispered poking him.

“Huh?” he asked sleepily.

“I just saw Kara outside with someone and she kissed him.”

“That’s nice. Go back to sleep.”

“I wonder who it was. I thought for sure she liked Chris.”

“Mia, please sleep. You can over-analyze this in the morning.”

“I don’t over-analyze.”

“Sure, whatever you say.”

***

Mia, her parents, and Lance sat in Dr. West’s office.

“I’m afraid I have some bad news.” Dr. West said. “Your blood urea nitrogen levels, which measure the wastes in your blood, are extremely high. The dialysis doesn’t seem to be helping anymore.”

Mia felt as if someone had sucked the life out of her.

“Now what?” Katherine asked.

“We will continue with the dialysis and keep waiting to hear about a transplant. I’m going to readjust the dialysis again and hopefully that will help.” Dr. West said.

Mia nodded as if she was listening, but her mind was elsewhere. Things in her life had been going along so well and now all of this…she just didn’t understand.

***

Lance and Mia walked into the house and found JC, Emilie, Chris, and Kara arguing.

“I swear you said ‘Did you ever see that scene in ‘Scanners?!’” Kara exclaimed. “Hey guys…what’s wrong?”

Mia sat down on the couch and looked over at Lance…she was too tired to explain anything.

“The dialysis isn’t working anymore. Mia’s only hope is a transplant.” Lance said.

The group was quiet.

“How far down are you on the list?” JC asked.

“Pretty far.” Mia said glumly.

“But there’s still a good chance right?” Emilie asked.

Lance nodded.

“Yes.”

“Well, that’s at least some hope.” Chris offered.

“Yeah, umm…if you guys don’t mind I’m going to go upstairs.” Mia said.

The others nodded and Lance helped Mia to her room.

***

That night…

“Hi.” Kara said walking into Mia’s room.

“Hello, what’s up?” Mia asked.

“Not much, just wondering if you needed anything.”

“Actually, you could answer a question for me.”

“Shoot.”

“Who did you go out with the other night?”

“Just some girls from work.”

“Do you kiss the girls from work?”

“Huh?”

“I looked out the window that night and saw you and somebody else.”

“Are you sure the dialysis isn’t making you hallucinate?”

“I know what I saw. So spill.”

“Seriously, I wasn’t with anyone.”

“Fine, keep it a mystery.”

***

Lance couldn’t sleep. He lay awake in his bed staring up at the ceiling. What had Mia done to deserve this? She had her whole future ahead of her and now what did she have? He thought back to what the doctor had said about transplants. What if he was a good match for Mia? He knew the chance wasn’t very likely, but it couldn’t hurt to find out…couldn’t it?

***

“Are you sure about this?” Dr. West asked Lance.

Lance nodded enthusiastically.

“I want to help her.”

“It’s highly unlikely that your tissues will match.” Dr. West said.

“I understand that, but what if there’s a chance?”

“Alright, we’ll schedule the tests.”

“Can I have it done on Wednesday morning while Mia is at dialysis? I don’t want her to know.”

“You haven’t discussed this with her?”

“No.”

“Well you really should.”

“I just don’t want to get her hopes up.”

Chapter 7