Chapter 7: The Match

The results came back at seven in the morning.

The doctor with the gray braid read them from the doorway.

Vaughn stood on one side of me and Kendra on the other.

"Mr. Alden, you are Sam's biological father. The test is conclusive."

Vaughn's hand shut hard on the back of a chair.

"And?" I said.

"And you are a half match. It's what we hoped for."

"It's not perfect, but a father is the best donor we can ask for."

"His body hasn't built a defense against your cells. If you're healthy, we can do the transplant in about three weeks."

"Why three weeks?" Vaughn said.

"Sam needs treatment first to get his body ready."

"He has to be monitored closely, in this hospital, twice a week at least."

"Then he stays where I can see him," Vaughn said.

I said nothing.

My aunt had gone home to the lake to get Sam's things.

I had nowhere to stay in Chicago.

I had no savings that would last a month of hotel rooms.

I had left everything at the lake to follow my son.

Kendra's hand came down on my forearm, soft.

"Geneva," she said. "I owe you an apology."

I looked at her.

Her eyes were red and tired, and her hair was pinned back with a hasty clip.

"Last night I said terrible things in front of three hundred people. I was frightened and I was selfish."

"You called me a liar."

"I did, and I'm ashamed." She squeezed my arm.

"I've been up all night thinking of that boy. Can I please see him?"

I should have said no.

I should have said many things.

Instead I looked at her stuffed bear with its crooked bow.

I thought of the hug at the funeral.

She had been the only one in that hall who was kind.

"He's awake," I said.

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