“And told me you hadn’t loved each other in years.”
“He needed both of us believing different versions of the same marriage.”
Jessica’s expression shifted.
“He told you he loved you.”
“Yes.”
“And told me you hadn’t loved each other in years.”
“He used your love to get the kidney and my ignorance to make sure I stayed.”
“Yes.”
She shut her eyes.
“He used your love to get the kidney and my ignorance to make sure I stayed.”
I said nothing.
There was nothing I needed to say.
This time, none of her confidence remained.
Jessica got to her feet.
“I need to talk to him.”
“Go.”
She paused.
“I’m sorry.”
But I couldn’t comfort her.
This time, none of her confidence remained.
I believed her apology was sincere.
But I couldn’t comfort her.
“So am I.”
She walked away carrying the card Daniel had written to me while promising her an entirely different future.
Jessica passed my doorway without looking inside.
Their argument lasted fewer than ten minutes.
Jessica passed my doorway without looking inside.
Daniel called after her twice.
She didn’t turn around either time.
I expected to feel satisfied.
“I gave him part of my body.”
Instead, I started sobbing so violently that my incision hurt.
Mom carefully sat on the edge of the bed.
“I gave him part of my body.”
“I know.”
“If I’d known, I never would’ve done it.”
“You made that choice because you loved him and because he was your children’s father.”
She took my hand.
“But you didn’t know. You made that choice because you loved him and because he was your children’s father.”
I looked at her.
“What does that change?”
“Nothing about what he did.”
Daniel tried calling my hospital room that night.
She squeezed my fingers.
“Only what it says about you.”
I wanted to disagree.
I couldn’t.
Daniel tried calling my hospital room that night.
We need to talk before discharge.
I ignored him.
The following morning, another message arrived:
We need to talk before discharge.
I replied:
We will. But you’re not recovering at home.
Later, with a nurse’s permission, he came to my room himself.
His answer appeared immediately.
