Chapter Seven-Too Much to Ask

“Hello?” Lance asked.

“I’m coming!” Mia called walking into the front hall. “What’s up? You look really happy about something.”

Lance pulled her into a hug and held onto her tightly.

“Sweetie, I’m not going to be able breathe.” She said.

“Sorry.” He said loosening his grip on her. “I have really great news.”

“Matt Damon is coming over to take me on a date tonight?”

“Better.” He said.

“What could possibly be better than that?”

“I think we’d better sit down.”

“Alright.” She said leading him into the kitchen. “Okay, what’s the deal?”

“I went to see Dr. West the other day.” Lance began.

“What? Why?” she asked.

“I asked him if I could be considered as a possible kidney donor.”

“But you’re not a blood relative.”

“Well, I hope not. Otherwise I’d think this relationship might be considered a tad strange.”

“Unless we grew up in Memphis with Justin.”

“Point taken. Back to what I was saying.”

“Please continue.”

“So he said I could be tested, but he highly doubted I would be a match.”

“When did you get tested? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“On Wednesday. So today I went to get the results and my tissue is an extremely close match to yours. I can donate.”

Mia sat in shock…she didn’t know what to say.

“Mia…are you going to say something?” Lance asked.

“You can’t.” she replied.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean I can’t let you do that.”

“Why not?”

“Because what about your health! You do not need to be undergoing unnecessary surgery. Plus do you really think Johnny would go for this? Think about your career.” She explained.

“I don’t give a damn about any of that. I’ll do anything that it takes for you.” He said.

Mia shook her head.

“It’s too much. I could never ask you to do that.”

“You don’t have to ask. I want to do this.”

“But what if…”

“What?”

“What if my body rejects the kidney?”

“Dr. West says that 80% of all transplants are successful.”

Mia remained quiet and tried to blink back the tears forming her eyes.

“Would you really do that for me?”

“Of course baby. I’ll do anything so that you didn’t have to suffer anymore.”

“Then okay, but I want to talk to Dr. West about this first.”

“Fine.”

“Thank you…I don’t even know what to say.” She said leaning over and kissing Lance.

“Just promise me that I can be the first person to take you out for some real food when this is all over, okay? How can you eat this stuff?” he asked gesturing to the array of health food on the table.

“Promise.”

Chapter 8