Chapter 11: The Letter

Stephanie's POV

Randall knocked at Dennis's door at nine that night.

I knew his knock, two short and one long, and I did not get up.

Dennis opened it a hand's width, with the chain on.

"She's resting."

"I know. I need two minutes. It's about Jasper."

"It's always about Jasper."

"It's not about me," Randall said. "Please."

I was on the couch with my feet up and Birdie asleep in the next room.

"Let him in," I said.

Dennis took the chain off and stood against the wall with his arms folded.

Randall came in without his coat.

His face was grey, and his shirt was buttoned wrong.

He put a sheet of paper on the coffee table, and beside it he put my wedding ring.

I looked at the ring and did not touch it.

"Read the letter first," he said.

I picked up the paper.

It was from the National Marrow Registry, and it was dated the fourteenth of August.

A nine of ten donor.

At the bottom, a signature in blue ink: Declined.

I read it through to the end, and then I read it again.

"She turned down a match," I said.

"In August. A month before she called me."

"Why?"

"She says she wanted me. She says a parent is safer."

"A parent is a half match."

"I know. I called the registry myself. The donor is still available."

Dennis let out a long, slow breath through his nose.

"She let a five-year-old go two months without a transplant," he said, "so your husband would have to show up."

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