Chapter 12: Wish Ninety-Four

"Say it again," Damian said.

Nobody in the room had moved.

Perry lay back against the pillow, glowing. His mother held his hand, and mine hung at my side, empty.

"Wish ninety-four," Perry said. "Damian gives me his kidney. That's all I'll ever ask for again."

"You told me ninety-nine," I said.

"I'll waive the rest."

He said it lightly, as a kindness.

"Jo," my mother said from the doorway. "That's a kind thing to ask for."

"It's not kind."

"It's the only way he lives."

"It's the only way he lives," Perry's mother repeated, and began to cry in earnest.

Damian stood by the window with his arms folded.

"I haven't agreed," he said. "And I'm not going to agree in a room full of people crying at me."

"Then agree in private," Perry said.

"Perry."

"Please, Damian." He wiped his eyes. "I'm not going to beg. I'm just saying, you could end this, for her too. You're the only one who can."

Damian looked at me.

He was asking me something. I didn't know what.

"I can't let him," I said to Perry, and my voice sounded thin. "Pick another wish."

"There isn't another."

"Then there's no ninety-four."

My mother gasped.

"Jo Cushman," she said. "I raised you better."

"I'm sorry, Mom."

"You're sorry? A young man is dying and you're sorry?"

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