Page 30 of Suspicious

Jason smiled up at me just as the doctor in charge of the marrow transfer came in for the final consultation. Mom stepped over to greet her as Jason and I continued to mess about, looking at the Loki comic together.

The doctor came to the side of Jason’s bed with a genuine smile. “Good morning, how’s our patient today?”

Jason grinned wide. “I don’t even feel like there’s anything wrong with me. I could practically run a marathon,” he said, though we all could see by his pale face, red eyes, and taxed breathing that he was anything but.

Jason never wanted us to worry about him, so he put on an act, even if he was in pain doing it. He was the bravest person I knew.

The doctor smiled weakly, checking his vitals, and then turned her attention to me. “Well, I am glad to hear that, Jason, but today, I need to focus on your brother.”

Jason chuckled. “That’s typical. He’s always the favorite,” he quipped.

I shoved him again, rolling my eyes. “Whatever! You’re only doing this whole leukemia thing for attention anyway,” I mocked.

Jason burst out laughing. “You know me, always the center of attention.”

Mom stepped forward, placing her hand on my shoulder. “Okay, boys, stop with your banter and let the doctor do her thing, please.”

I glanced at Jason, and he tried to fight back his smile. We’d officially been told off. It was time to behave. Mom was stressed. It was clear to see, but it’s why Jason and I liked to try to keep our time in the hospital as upbeat as possible. This place was stifling. The beeping of the machines. The constantcoughing and groaning from other patients. We just wanted there to be a little fun in this hellhole that Jason was living in.

Mom needed to lighten up.

It was all going to be fine.

“Sorry, please go ahead, doctor. I promise we’re listening,” I replied, trying to make Mom happy.

The doctor pulled out her notepad. “Okay, Alex, these questions are to help us determine your eligibility to donate to Jason. We know your marrow is a match, but these questions are to determine if there are any other factors that could be an issue.”

I glanced at Mom, and she gave me a reassuring smile. The doctor ran down a list and then began asking routine questions. I answered them truthfully, each one seeming to get the tick of approval.

Then came the last one.

“Okay, last one, Alex. Have you had any severe head injuries at all?”

Furrowing my brows, I shook my head. “Nope, not that I can think of.”

Mom exhaled, tears instantly began to form in her eyes, and I snapped my head to hers in confusion. “What is it, Mom?” I asked.

She glanced at Dad. He grimaced but then nodded, clearly understanding her reaction. “Honey, remember you had that concussion a few years back?”

My eyes shot open, my head snapping to the doctor to witness a sympathetic look cross her face. “That? That was nothing!”

“It could be something… how bad was the concussion, Mrs. Grimes?” the doctor asked.

Shaking my head at Mom, begging her not to say anymore, tears streamed down her face. “Alex was unconscious foran hour. He was in the hospital for a couple of days for monitoring. His brain had swollen, and they were keeping an eye on it to make sure it went down, which it did, but he suffered with some lasting symptoms for months after. Headaches, mood swings, nausea, some dizziness—”

“Mom, it wasn’t that bad.” I turned to the doctor. “I swear, I was fine. This is nothing! I can absolutely still donate… right?” I begged, my eyes shifting to Jason, and I detected sadness washing over his features.

The sight almost broke me as the doctor gently rested her hand on my shoulder, clearly for comfort. I turned to face her, slowly shaking my head. “No, no, NO… please don’t tell me I can’t do this.”

She exhaled with a solemn smile. “I’m so sorry, Alex. But a head injury, even one less severe than the one your mother described, would make you ineligible to donate to Jason.”

I felt sick.

Like I physically wanted to throw up.

My stomach churned as I stood from Jason’s bed, my breathing rushed and frantic. The room was spinning, but a hand reached out, grabbing mine, and I snapped my head to watch Jason’s eyes meeting mine. He smiled a genuine smile that startled me while he lightly chuckled. “Serves me right for tackling you in the backyard so hard and not protecting your head when you went down, hey?”

Scrunching up my face, I started backing away from him, and my hip bumped into his breakfast tray. It crashed to the floor, the sound making me jump with fright.

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