“You’re my son,” she said. “And you’re talking about a major medical procedure. I’m going to worry no matter what you say.”
“That’s your right,” he said, tossing her a wink to try to lighten her up. “So here’s where it gets a little unusual. Apparently, most donors and patients never meet or have contact, confidentiality rights and all. But the day after I confirmed I’d do it, the registry rep called me again. Said the father of the kid really wanted to talk to me, if I’d allow it. I figured sure, why not? I mean, I was going to do it no matter what. As soon as I heard I could help someone, there was no question in my mind I’d go through with it.”
“Of course,” Maria said. “That’s who you are.”
“So did you talk to the father?” Lew asked.
“Yeah. On Friday morning.” Nick shifted in his seat, stretching out his legs to roll one ankle, then the other. “The guy couldn’t be nicer, and I could hear the worry there and it really moved me. His son’s just a kid. They’re desperate, I get that. And long story short, I’m going.”
“Where are you going?” Lew and Maria said at the same time, then looked at each other with a quick laugh at having said the same thing.
“New York. Turns out the kid’s father is some mega-rich businessman—I’m talking billionaire, like crazy money. He wanted to talk to me to . . . well, offer incentive, I guess. He wanted me to understand that insurance should pay for everything that’s medical, but beyond that, he wants to pay. He doesn’t want me to spend a dime. He offered to pay for my flights, my hotel stay, rental car, everything I eat, do, touch. Even offered to cover whatever pay I lose at work for taking time off. Bottom line is, he didn’t want me to be worried about the expenses if it would make me decide not to go there and do it. I assured him that I’m going to do it. And yeah, maybe take him up on the hotel part. Because if I have to go back and forth to New York a few times, or stay there? Might add up, I don’t know.”
“Nick . . .” Maria’s voice sounded breathless all of a sudden. “You’re going to New York?”
“Yeah, Ma. I leave the day after tomorrow.” Nick watched her as he spoke; she seemed off. He hated for her to worry about him. “On Friday, when I got the promotion, it was amazing, but terrible timing. I’d just talked to the father that morning! So, at work, I explained what happened, and that I feel I need to do this. They were great about it. Better than I thought they’d be, actually.” He ran his hands absently over his knees. “I’m taking an unpaid leave for two weeks. If I have to go a few more times, they’re fine with it. And the time I need off for the surgery and recovery will be paid leave. They were fully supportive. After it’s all done, and I’m back to one hundred percent, I’ll start the new job.”
“New York,” Maria repeated. “Billionaires, you said?”
“Uh-huh. Why?” Nick stared harder now. She looked upset. No, it was different than that. She looked . . . spooked. “Ma, you used to live in New York, you know I’m not going to, like, a war zone or the middle of nowhere.”
“Are they from Long Island?” she asked.
Lew flinched, his head swiveling to look at his wife as his eyes flew wide.
Nick’s gut started humming and clenched, like right before something bad went down on the street. “What’s going on?” he asked, looking from one to the other. “You’re both acting weird.”
“The boy,” she said. “The billionaire father. What’s his name, do you know?”
“Yeah, of course I know. I told you, I talked to him,” Nick said. “The kid’s name is Myles, his father’s name is Charles.” Trying to joke to break the sudden heavy vibe in the room, he added in a mock snooty voice, “Get this for big money pretentious: His full name is Charles Roger Harrison the third, thank you very much.”
Maria gasped sharply, her eyes rolled back in her head, and she fainted, slumping against her husband.