by Brenda Novak
“Hey, are you okay?”
This came from Kyle. She opened her mouth to assure him that she was fine. She said that a dozen times a day, especially since she’d moved in with her parents. But suddenly she felt so extremely ill she couldn’t form the words. Something had given out on her. She wasn’t sure if it was her kidneys—she’d been having more and more trouble going to the bathroom—or another organ, but she had a feeling this might be the end.
Fleetingly, she thought about trying to scoot out of the booth so someone could take her to the hospital. But without a working liver, what was the point? They’d only be prolonging the worst misery a person could imagine.
Let go, she told herself. Don’t draw this out.
Terror engulfed her along with a sudden darkness. She was struggling just to breathe. But her last thought was how much she loved these people so she did her best to smile a goodbye.
* * *
As soon as Levi drove into town, he stopped at the Gas-N-Go and learned that Callie was in the hospital. She was fading as fast as she’d indicated she would, and that scared him, made him hyperaware of the minutes that were passing by. He had to see her immediately, before it was too late. He just hoped he’d have the chance to say goodbye....
Joe, who’d told him where she was, also gave him directions to the hospital. Once he got there, he jogged down the corridor to the intensive care unit, heart pumping erratically, afraid he was already too late.
Let her be alive... Please, let her be alive...
Kyle saw him first. All her friends were crowded around two chairs, half blocking the hallway. There was a nurse’s station across from them. Levi would’ve expected anyone who manned that station to be upset. Callie had far more visitors than the two specified by the rules. But the young blonde behind the desk seemed too preoccupied to complain. She kept sending them excited glances.
What was going on?
“You’re back,” Kyle said.
Levi could hear the accusation in that statement. Kyle was mad that he’d left in the first place. Levi didn’t blame him. “Where is she?”
At the sound of his voice, Noah, Baxter, Riley, Ted and Dylan turned. So did the famous actor, Simon O’Neal. Levi had never seen him in person, but like most other people, he’d watched at least a couple of his movies. That made it easy to recognize his face—and to understand the nurse’s reaction. No one was going to ask Simon or anyone with him to leave, even if it was a hospital. Maybe Simon had promised to finance a new wing in exchange. He definitely had the money to do whatever he wished.
Eve, Cheyenne and the redhead from the photograph in Callie’s studio—Simon’s wife—pushed through the men to be able to see him.
“She’s in Room Four,” Cheyenne said. “But the doctor is—”
Levi didn’t wait to hear the rest. He had to reach her. But he also had to slow down. There wasn’t enough space to move quickly, not unless he wanted to bowl over the equipment in this section of the facility and get himself kicked out. He didn’t know whether the preferential treatment being extended to Simon and friends covered him, as well, so he tried to navigate carefully.
It wasn’t until he stood right outside Callie’s room and could hear the quiet murmur of voices within that he began to feel uncertain. Was she awake? In pain? Was there anything he could do to make her happy before she died?
Staring down at his shaking hands, he closed them into fists. Then he opened them again, drew a deep breath and went inside.
Her parents were there. At least, he assumed the woman in the wheelchair was Callie’s mother. He’d never met her. The doctor was with them. When they glanced up, surprised by his intrusion, Levi felt so conspicuous he almost backed out of the room.
But then Callie saw him.
“Levi!” She tried to sit up but didn’t have the strength. At that point, he would’ve forced his way through all of them if he had to. Slipping between them, he reached her bedside and took her hand.
“Hi. I’m so glad—” he swallowed against the sudden tightness in his throat “—I’m so glad you’re hanging in there. I’m sorry I left. I—I shouldn’t have. I panicked.”
“It’s okay.” Her eyes closed briefly, as if she had to summon the energy just to open them. “They took my...my necklace.”
Her necklace? He was so busy noticing all the changes in her, and handling the shock of how quickly those changes had occurred, that he didn’t know what she was talking about. Then he remembered the hummingbird pendant he’d given her. Obviously, she was upset over its loss. “I’ll find it for you, okay? Don’t worry.”
That seemed to please her. She nodded slightly and let her eyes close again.
“The nurses took her necklace off before we got here,” her mother explained. “She—she collapsed at the coffee shop two days ago and one of her friends called an ambulance, so the emergency room personnel did what they had to. She keeps asking for it, but they won’t let her have it. They say it’ll get in the way, and we don’t want anything to stop them from giving her the care she needs.”
Callie didn’t find it easy to talk, but she tried again. “It’s mine,” she whispered, letting Levi know she wanted it back regardless of their reasons for denying her request.
“Can’t we get it for her?” he asked the doctor.
“It’s standard procedure to remove all jewelry,” he replied as if that was that. Then he stuck out his hand. “I’m Dr. Yee, Callie’s hepatologist. And you are...”
“Her boyfriend.” He was afraid that might sound presumptuous. They’d never made a verbal commitment to each other. But it was there in the subtext of everything they’d done together, in the strength of their feelings for each other. And he feared that if he didn’t acknowledge what he felt, he’d be denied access to her.
If her parents were taken aback by this announcement, they didn’t say so. Maybe they could tell by Callie’s reaction that he was as significant to her as he claimed.
“Nice to meet you,” Dr. Yee said.
“Likewise,” Levi responded. “So back to her necklace...”
Dr. Yee shook his head. “Like I said—”
Lowering his voice, Levi broke in before the doctor could finish. “I heard that bit about standard procedure. But it’s a small thing to ask, right? I mean...you’re dealing with human beings in this hospital, and that means some exceptions should be made, depending on the circumstances. Wouldn’t you agree?”
Yee looked to her parents. They’d given in to him so far, but now they seemed to think better of it. “It obviously means a great deal to Callie,” her mother said.
“And we’ve asked if she could have it many times,” Boone added.
With a thoughtful frown, the doctor collected his clipboard and started out of the room. “I guess there could be worse things to work around should surgery become imminent. If it’s that important, I’ll see what I can do.”
Levi followed him out. “And, Doc?”
Dr. Yee turned. “Yes?”
“What can we do to get her a transplant?”
He seemed genuinely concerned when he said, “Nothing, except pray that a liver becomes available. I’ve categorized her as status one. That gives her the highest priority.”
“How much more time do we have?”
“Maybe a few days,” he said.
* * *
The Fourth of July came and went with Callie mostly unconscious. Her parents were at her bedside constantly through those days. She knew that. Her friends were often there, too, especially Kyle and Baxter. Even Gail and Simon had pulled themselves away from their commitments in Los Angeles. Several of the nurses had asked about her connection to the big movie star. But the person whose presence meant the most was Levi, probably because having him there was such an unexpected gift. She could hear him talking to her parents or her friends, and it brought her a measure of peace to know he cared enough to come back to her, that he was committed to what they’d shared, despite her situation.
She wished she was stronger and found it ironic that her female vanity hadn’t deserted her even at such a dire point. But she made a conscious effort not to worry about how she looked. She had so little time left. She figured she might as well enjoy the pleasure of having Levi there, holding her hand. Although the hospital had relented and given her the necklace, it didn’t seem nearly as important now that she actually had him with her.
“Hey, you. How are you feeling?”
Callie managed to lift her heavy eyelids to see Baxter. He’d come at a time when she had no other visitors. Her father had driven her mother to a doctor’s appointment, and Levi had left to get a shower and something to eat. Her parents had given him the key to the farm, so he was staying there and taking care of Rifle. That seemed fitting somehow. Callie wished more than anything that she could go home with him and see her dog, but at least the two of them got to stay at the farm for a while longer.
“Fine.” She tried to smile for Baxter’s benefit.
“You look good,” he told her.
She knew he was lying. She couldn’t look good. But he did—as always. He smelled good, too.
“Do you want me to read to you?” he asked.
Ted had been coming to the hospital and reading his latest book. Even his editor hadn’t seen this one. She loved his stories, but she also liked it when Baxter read from various magazines. In keeping with his personality, he focused on sensational tidbits, like the mother who beat off three robbers with a broom, or the reality TV star whose cosmetic surgery didn’t turn out quite as planned.
She nodded. But then she realized that she hadn’t spent any time alone with Baxter in the eight days she’d been in the hospital and decided she’d rather talk—if she could.
“Wait...”
“What is it?” he said.
“How’re...things with...you?”
“Busy.”
“You...seeing anyone?”
“Not right now. But Noah is. She’s another groupie, loves professional cyclists.”
“I think...he knows,” she said.
“That I’m gay? Maybe.”
“So why...why not address it? Just you...and him. Privately.”
He didn’t answer for a few seconds. Then he said, “I’ll promise you this. You get well, and I’ll tell Noah that I’m madly in love with him. Fair enough?”
She attempted a laugh. “Now I know...you don’t think I’m going...to make it. Or...or you wouldn’t commit...to that.”
“I’m trying to motivate you to keep fighting.”
Levi had given her enough motivation already. She was hanging on with everything she had, hoping that a liver would become available. “Okay. I’ll keep...fighting.”
He looked as if he was about to say something else, but Gail and Simon came into the room.
“Mind if we crash the party?” Gail asked.
Callie was so tired, but she mustered a smile. “Giving...the nurses another...thrill, Simon?”
He grinned at her. “I’ve told them I just look like Simon O’Neal, but they’re not buying it.”
“How are the kids getting along without you?” Baxter asked.
“They’re doing great,” Gail said. “We have a fabulous nanny. She may bring them out here in a few days. Once Callie gets a liver, she’ll be in the hospital another week or two, so it makes sense.”
If Callie gets a liver, Callie thought, but she didn’t have the energy to say it. She knew they wouldn’t want to hear her talking negatively, anyway.
“What about Simon’s work commitments?” Baxter asked.
“Hey, he’s not the only one with work commitments,” Gail teased. “But we’re managing. Callie’s more important than anything going on in our professional lives. We’re all pulling together. Right, Cal? We’re going to hold out until we get what we need.”
Callie gathered her strength. “Hope it comes...soon.”
“So do we.” Gail sat on the other side of the bed, across from Baxter. Simon stood behind her and massaged her shoulders while she talked. “About that guy who’s been hanging around.”
The reference made Callie smile. She knew Gail was joking, that she remembered Levi’s name. “Yes?”
“He’s handsome. And devoted. I think you did well when you caught his eye.”
She hoped Dylan hadn’t said anything about Levi’s past. She didn’t want Gail or Simon or anyone else who didn’t already know to find out about the fight he’d had with those two officers. She knew he felt bad about it. He’d said as much yesterday while her parents were at lunch and they’d had a few minutes to themselves.
Fortunately, she sensed that her friends were willing to let his past go, at least for the time being. As a matter of fact, everyone was acting as if Dylan had never told them he’d recognized Levi. Even Kyle hadn’t mentioned it.
“I love him,” she said.
Gail squeezed her arm. “I can tell. Joe thinks he’s great, too. Wants him to come work at the Gas-N-Go when you’re all better.”
Callie imagined moving back to the farm and taking up where they’d left off. They’d been so happy during those two weeks. It was that vision that kept her clinging to life. “Nice of him.”
“Joe told me he’s never seen a more talented mechanic,” Simon added. “I guess he fixed some BMW Joe was having trouble with.”
“So it was...the main computer?”
Callie must’ve spoken too softly. Gail leaned toward her. “What?”
The comment wasn’t important enough to repeat. “Never...mind.”
Her parents joined them next. “Where’s Levi?” Diana asked, sounding slightly disappointed that he wasn’t in the room.
Callie took a breath. “Showering.”
Diana wedged her wheelchair into a spot at the foot of the bed. “He’s such a nice young man. Don’t you think so, Gail?”
Gail nodded. “I was just telling Callie the same thing.”
They continued to talk—about Simon’s next movie, more improvements to Baxter’s Victorian and Gail’s new PR clients. Callie listened to what she could. But it wasn’t long before she had to give up and rest. She wanted to speak, especially when she heard her father murmur something to Simon, and Simon responded with, “No word yet.” She worried that they were doing exactly what she’d told Baxter she didn’t want them to—using Simon’s power and influence to put her ahead of everyone else who needed a liver transplant.
But there was nothing she could do about it, even if they were. At the moment, she was too weak to say a word.
* * *
The farm wasn’t the same without Callie. Levi showered and ate and slept there when he wasn’t at the hospital. He also fed and cared for Rifle, since her parents weren’t up to it. But he wanted her back home, wanted another chance at what they’d had. He certainly had other problems to work through, but he couldn’t address them, or anything else, until he knew what was going to happen to Callie.
“Hey, boy.” Sitting down on the porch with Rifle, he stared at the damaged barn. He wanted to rebuild it. He wanted to paint the chicken coop, too. There was so much to do here. Her garden was getting ruined since he hadn’t been around to care for it. He hated the thought of that, especially because she’d put so much work into it.
“I don’t know if she’s going to survive,” he confided to the dog.
It was such a hot day. Rifle seemed to be feeling the heat. He panted as he rested his muzzle on Levi’s lap.
“She’s getting worse,” Levi told him. “I can see it every day, almost every hour.” He squinted into the distance, not wanting to face the truth but unable to escape it. “The doctors are doing everything they can, but it’s not enough.”
Rifle whined, and Levi toyed with his ears, wondering what would happen to him and the dog when this was all over. Callie provided the foundation they both needed, somehow brought sense and order to their worlds.
They shared a few minutes of commiseration. Then Callie’s cel
l phone went off. Her parents had insisted Levi take it so they could stay in touch.
His heart in his throat, Levi dug the phone out of his pocket. Even Rifle seemed agitated. He sat up and barked as Levi frowned at the display. It was her parents, all right. The screen read Daddy and had a picture of her father.
Although they’d asked him to carry her phone, they’d never actually tried to reach him on it. They wouldn’t be calling him now unless something had changed. That meant one of two things.
Levi feared he knew which one it had to be. Callie’s doctor hadn’t given them much hope.
Closing his eyes, he said a brief prayer. He’d never been a religious man, but he’d said a lot of prayers in the past few days. Then, standing, he punched the talk button. “Hello?”
Her father was crying. He could barely talk.
Was Callie gone?
Levi’s stomach twisted at the sound of Boone’s broken words. Until they began to make sense....
“They have a liver,” he said. “It’s on its way to the hospital from Southern California. Get over here as soon as possible. They’ll be taking her into surgery the moment it arrives.”
28
When the surgery had lasted fourteen hours, Levi grew so anxious he could only pace. The doctor had said it would take ten to twelve, so he’d been expecting a lengthy wait, but the extra time frightened him, made him wonder if something had gone wrong. Had the liver been damaged in transport? Was Callie holding up? What was taking so damn long?
The doctor hadn’t had a chance to explain the procedure to him in detail. By the time he arrived, they were well into getting her prepped. But her parents knew all about it. They told him and her other friends that the doctor would make an incision in her abdomen, detach her liver from the blood vessels and common bile duct and clamp them off. Then they’d remove her liver and attach the donor liver. If necessary, they’d also put in a few temporary tubes to drain blood and excess fluids and check bile production. Provided all went well, she’d go to the anesthesia recovery area after surgery and then back to intensive care until she stabilized. After that they’d take out her breathing tube and catheter and, although she’d be carefully monitored to make sure her body didn’t reject the new liver, she’d likely get to recover in a regular hospital room. After a week or so, if all went well, she’d be released.
