Life's Second Chances: The Show Me Series: Book One

by Anne Stone

  Slowly, she raised her head and looked at his face. Tracks of dried tears trailed down her face. She looked ashen in color. She was scared to death for her sister.

  “Colleen is being moved to ICU. She should be there within a half-hour… She’s holding her own for now.”

  She nodded her head.

  “Angelina, say something. What are you feeling?”

  She sat there holding her hands in her lap. Not making eye contact with him, she said, “I just want her to get well. That’s all.”

  “But what’re you feeling?”

  “I don’t want to talk about myself. I’m only concerned about Colleen and that my parents make it home safely. Please take me to her.”

  Alejandro reached for her hands and pulled her from the couch. She fell against his chest. “Sorry,” she said. “I lost my balance.”

  “Have you had anything to eat today?”

  “No, nothing to speak of.”

  “You’ve got to take care of yourself. It’s not going to help your parents if you end up in the hospital as well. I’ll take you to see Colleen, but you will, and I mean will, only stay for five minutes. Then, I’m taking you to get something to eat.”

  Nodding, she followed Alejandro from his office to the ICU. He guided her through the doorway and nodded at one of the nurses who pointed to Colleen’s room. Alejandro led her inside. As she crossed the threshold, she felt a cold chill overcome her. The room was so sterile—white walls, no color except for that on the various machines that were hooked-up to Colleen’s body. Angelina was cold. She wrapped her arms around her middle trying to warm herself. Alejandro put his arm around her shoulders as he guided her towards Colleen’s bedside. Machines surrounded Colleen, giving off incessant beeps. She watched the numbers change, constantly change as the machines monitored her vital signs.

  Colleen laid there. She was as pale as the sheets that were pulled up to her chin. Angelina reached for her hand. “Coll, it’s me Angelina.”

  There was no response. No squeeze of Angelina’s hand. Nothing. She just laid there, pale as a ghost. If one really didn’t know how sick she was, they would think she was asleep—there were no visible signs of injury on her face, hands, or arms. Angelina just watched her breathe.

  Alejandro placed his arm around her shoulder, nodded, and ushered her from Colleen’s room. As they exited the ICU, he told her she couldn’t return for another two hours. Hopefully, by that time, her parents and Wyatt would be there.

  Angelina’s parents had spoken to her other siblings earlier. Kelly and James were expected at the hospital shortly. Kelly was driving in from Atlanta where she attended grad school. James was flying in from the west coast. His flight was scheduled to arrive within the hour.

  Alejandro motioned for Gabriella to join them as they exited the ICU and headed towards the cafeteria. Gabriella was starving while Angelina just asked for a bottle of water—Alejandro didn’t listen to her request. Instead, he ordered her a sandwich and fruit plate. Paying for their food, he led them to the doctor’s lounge. Thankfully, no one was present.

  Alejandro guided them to one of the round tables that filled the doctor’s lounge. Gabriella was so hungry that she practically inhaled her sandwich before Angelina and Alejandro could seat themselves. Alejandro pulled out Angelina’s chair and sat down beside her. He watched Angelina as she stared at her food. He nodded at Gabriella, who then excused herself indicating that she needed to use the restroom.

  “Angelina, you need to eat. You almost collapsed in my office.” Slowly she looked up into his caring eyes and told him that she knew it but just couldn’t. Alejandro speared a strawberry from her plate and lifted it to her lips. “Eat,” he said. She opened her mouth and took the strawberry from his fork. She began to chew. When she’d finished that, he chose a piece of pineapple.

  Before he could spear another piece of fruit, she put her hand up to stop him. “Thank you, but I can feed myself.” He smiled at her when she reached for her sandwich and took a bite. They continued sitting in silence until Gabriella returned. Then, the door opened and Alejandro’s father walked in.

  “Any news?” asked Angelina.

  “No, but I just heard from your parents and they’re approaching the hospital. I told them we’d meet them outside the ICU.”

  Angelina started to gather her food but Alejandro stopped her. “You need to finish before we leave here. That’s an order. Dad, can you meet her parents? They probably won’t be here for another half hour or so.”

  She looked up at him and a pained look crossed her face, her eyes becoming downcast and her lips drawn. She was doing her best to hold in her emotions.

  “Please finish. You need to stay well, too.”

  Gabriella and her father headed off to the ICU while Angelina stayed back with Alejandro to finish eating. It took her longer than he expected for her to finish her lunch. It seemed like an hour had elapsed when only fifteen minutes had passed.

  He tried to take her mind off Colleen by asking her various questions about school, but she always seemed to turn the conversation back to her sister. That’s all she could focus on besides swallowing her lunch. Every bite she took seemed harder and harder to swallow as the lump in her throat grew from keeping her emotions in check.

  She finally finished her meal. He was right—she did need to eat. As she stood, she felt stronger and more stable on her feet. “Okay, now I’m ready.”

  “Thanks for listening to me. Now, let’s go.” Placing his hand on her back, he guided her from the doctor’s lounge back to the ICU where they met her parents coming off of the elevator.

  Angelina reached for her mother and threw herself into her arms. “She looks so pale,” she whispered to her mother.

  “I know, dear. I know.”

  Reaching for her father’s hand, the three of them walked down the hallway with Alejandro and Wyatt trailing behind. Alejandro’s father was waiting for them outside the ICU.

  “John,” Angelina’s father said, “How is she?”

  “Right now she’s holding her own, but that can change at a moment’s notice. Anything can happen. To be on the safe side, I think all of you need to be tested to see if a family member is a viable donor in case Colleen requires a liver transplant.”

  Angelina’s mother cried out and reached for her husband. “Ben, she can’t die.”

  Ben held his wife and told her he wasn’t going to let that happen. They would do everything in their power to see that she got well. Ben looked towards Alejandro and said, “Will you take care of our daughter?”

  “In the event that it gets to that stage, yes I will. I agree with my father—you all need to get tested to see if any of you are viable donors. Right now, that would be in Colleen’s best interest.”

  Jackie looked at her husband and said, “Come on, let’s go.” She motioned for Angelina and Wyatt to join them. Alejandro guided them to the lab where they would be tested for their viability.

  Chapter Four

  Both the Samuels and Alvarez families tested to see if any of them were compatible to be a liver donor for Colleen. Angelina’s parents had yet to see Colleen since they arrived, so they headed off to the ICU with Wyatt. Angelina, in the meantime, made her way to the hospital chapel. She had never been in a hospital chapel before. She was actually surprised to see the stained glass windows that lined the hallway as she approached the closed doors. The doors were heavier than she expected as she opened them and walked into the solemn room. Four sets of pews were located towards the front near an altar. Additional chairs were set-up around the perimeter of the chapel. She could hear a pin drop as she walked towards the front of the room. She was the only one present in the chapel.

  She sat in the front pew and bowed her head, praying for her family but, most importantly, for her sister. She was more than scared. Colleen had been glowing with excitement just yesterday morning when she got in the car to head off to her tournament. And now, just a little over a day later, she was unconsc
ious, lying in a hospital fighting for her life. All due to a freak accident.

  Angelina had drifted off to sleep sitting in her pew when she felt someone sit beside her. Then she felt an arm drape around her shoulders and she inched her head onto their shoulder. She was in a safe place, feeling protected, and was drifting back off to sleep again when she heard the air conditioning kick on. She jumped and the arm around her shoulders tightened. She raised her head and looked up at Alejandro. “What’re you doing here?”

  “Thought you needed a shoulder.”

  Angelina became uncomfortable all of a sudden and moved out of the protection of his arm. “I see. Any news?”

  “Not yet. It will take a few more hours before we hear if anyone is compatible. We’re already running Colleen’s information through the transplant database.”

  She nodded then stood up. Alejandro asked her to follow him, and he led her down a long, sterile hallway, then opened a door and entered an office.

  “Where are we?”

  “My offices. We just came in a different way.”

  Leading her down another, albeit shorter, hallway, he opened the door to his private office. He motioned for her to sit on the couch. Sitting down beside her, he reached for her hand, “Angelina, you need to rest. Please lie down while I get caught up on some paperwork. I’ll wake you when I have any news.”

  “My parents?”

  “I told them I’d take care of you. Now, get some sleep.”

  Angelina wanted to argue but knew better. She was scared, worried about her sister and what would happen. She also felt like she was taking advantage of Alejandro. She knew him, but not really. As she thought about their relationship, she drifted off to sleep again. Alejandro covered her with a blanket that he kept in his office for his late night shifts when it was just easier to stay at the hospital. Instead of working, he watched her sleep. In all the years that she had been friends with Gabriella, he had no idea what a kind-hearted person she was. She was extremely caring of her family and friends. They took precedence over her wants and needs, which often caused her to withdraw into herself. He wished he’d met her when she and Gabriella were in college. Maybe his life would have been different. He couldn’t think about what he’d been through in the past few years—the highs, lows, happiness, grief, and heartache. He had to focus on the here and now—Colleen and her possible need for a liver transplant.

  His cell vibrated. Taking it from his pocket, he immediately recognized that it was his father. “Dad?”

  “Get down here now. I think you need to get involved. It’s not looking good.” He didn’t even respond to his father. He ended the call, jumped up from his chair and approached Angelina. Tapping her on the forearm, she awoke with a start.

  “My dad just called. I am headed down to the ICU.”

  “Colleen?”

  “Not sure what’s going on. Come with me.” He reached for her forearm and helped her from the couch. While Angelina had slept, Alejandro had received the news he’d hoped for. He wasn’t sure what his father wanted, but he knew there was a definite solution to the situation at hand. A sense of hope was on the horizon. Guiding her from his offices, she followed him to the ICU.

  When they reached the ICU, her parents and siblings were waiting for her. “Where’ve you been, Angelina?” asked her mother.

  “I was with Alejandro. Why?”

  “It’s Colleen. She’s taken a turn for the worse and the doctors feel she needs an immediate transplant.”

  “What about a donor?”

  “We’ve found one.”

  “That’s great. Are they far?” asked Kelly.

  “No.”

  “Really? Who is it?” asked Angelina.

  Alejandro knew who it was. He’d received an email with the confirmation prior to receiving his father’s call. He began to raise his hand to her back when Alejandro’s father said, “You.”

  Angelina was stunned. “Me?’ she whispered as Alejandro placed his hand on her back. A series of emotions crossed her face; her body stiffened under the guide of his hand as she listened to Alejandro’s father speak.

  “Yes. You’re a perfect match.” John stated. Her mother crossed in front of Alejandro and grabbed ahold of Angelina.

  “Yes, my dear. You’ll be the one to save our Colleen.”

  Angelina stood there, stunned. She didn’t know what to say. She had all kinds of thoughts running through her head. She couldn’t believe she was the one person that could save her sister’s life. She never knew that a live human could be a liver donor. She’d heard about people receiving a family member’s kidney, but a liver? How could she survive without her liver?

  Alejandro, guessing her concerns, explained to her that a portion of her liver would be removed and would be implanted into her sister. If all went according to plan, and Colleen’s body did not reject her liver, Angelina’s liver would replace Colleen’s and regenerate to normal size in a matter of weeks. He explained that hers would also return to its normal size, too.

  Alejandro went into detail about the surgery. It could take up to twelve hours to complete. Colleen would remain in the hospital two to three weeks. She could be discharged sooner or later depending on whether she encountered any complications.

  Angelina had a dazed look on her face. Alejandro interjected, bringing her back to reality, “Angelina, we must admit you and take you for further testing. Colleen’s condition is deteriorating. We must perform the transplant as soon as possible.”

  Dazed, she continued to stand there. She didn’t know what to say or do. She reached for her mother and just hugged her. Alejandro reached for her arm and told her they needed to get moving—time definitely was not on their side.

  She kissed her parents goodbye as Alejandro led her off. Gabriella followed them. She needed to support her friend and brother while Angelina’s parents stayed with Colleen. Gabriella loved Angelina and her brother, and she prayed that this transplant would be successful for all involved.

  Alejandro completed running the necessary tests and approved Angelina as Colleen’s donor. She was still in a state of shock. She was confused with everything that was going on around her. She went through a myriad of tests herself. She didn’t have a choice if she wanted to have this surgery or not. It didn’t matter that she was frightened about herself. She was more worried about her sister and all the what ifs floating through her mind.

  It seemed like an eternity had passed since her dinner with Alejandro. In fact, it was as though it had never happened—a figment of her imagination. And now, she was facing a major surgery herself. She realized in that moment how family’s lives could be drastically changed in just the beat of a heart.

  Time passed quickly but also stood still as Angelina waited to be wheeled into surgery. Prior to the surgery, Alejandro visited her. She looked so small in the bed. He could tell how scared she was, for when he entered her room, she was staring out the window. Her hands were balled into tight fists along her sides. Her jaw was tightly clenched. It had turned into an ugly weather day. Storms were predicted to move in at any time. The weather reflected her mood: dark, intense, and full of rage. She was full of anger not only because her sister was going through this ordeal, but because she hated the fact that she wasn’t closer to Colleen. Yes, they had a special bond because she was still living a home, but she was much closer to Kelly since they were just a few years apart in age. She and Kelly had been practically inseparable until she went away to college. She wished that she’d made more one-on-one time for Colleen and she vowed that, if Colleen survived this crisis, she would make the time for her sister and forge that bond.

  “Angelina?”

  She turned and looked in Alejandro’s direction. It seemed as though she didn’t see him.

  “Angelina?” he repeated. She looked up at him. He could tell she’d been crying. “Why are you crying?”

  “Alejandro, I am so scared. I’m afraid that I won’t be able to save Colleen. I know she’s my sist
er and all, it’s just—”

  “Don’t think like that. From all indications, everything should go well. You’re a perfect match. The real concern will come after the transplant, trying to prevent Colleen from rejecting your liver. You should be fine, too… Just a few weeks of rest for you. I don’t expect that you’ll have any complications. Colleen’s the one I’m worried about.”

  She nodded at him.

  “Are we ready?”

  “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

  “Then let’s do it.” He squeezed her hand as the nurses prepared to move her to the operating room.

  Alejandro performed Colleen’s surgery while another surgeon extracted a portion of Angelina’s liver. It was a long surgery, but both came through with flying colors. Angelina’s parents went back and forth between their daughters rooms while they waited for each of them to wake from their respective surgeries. The Samuels’s had just left Angelina’s room when Alejandro entered. She was alone, so he decided to sit with her because he didn’t want her to be alone when she woke. He reached for her hand and softly brushed his thumb along her palm. He sat there for quite some time when he dozed off.

  She squeezed his hand, causing him to wake. He sat up straighter in the chair and noticed that her eyes were fluttering—she was waking up. He looked down at his watch. He’d been asleep for about an hour.

  He brushed her bangs from her forehead and, as she opened her eyes, she immediately recognized him. “Alejandro?” she croaked. Her voice was raspy from the surgery.

  “How are you feeling?” He could tell that she was having difficulties swallowing and offered her a sip of water. Angelina felt like she’d been hit by a Mack truck. She was exhausted and thought every bone and muscle in her body was calling out in pain. There were several intravenous lines coming from her body. She’d never had major surgery before and hadn’t really known what to expect when she woke. She hadn’t really thought to ask Alejandro since the surgery happened so quickly—she’d been in shock from the moment she discovered that she was going to be Colleen’s donor.