Page 39 of Spades

Lou was clearly handsome in his younger days. He has a strong jaw, a good head of white hair, and thick—but not bushy—eyebrows. He smiles when I walk in.

“Miss Alissa! Wonderful to see you,” he says.

“It’s great to see you two as well.” I take a look at Lou’s chart. “How are you feeling today? Any pain, on a level of one to ten?”

Lou shrugs. “I mean, when you get to be as old as we are, you’re never without a little bit of aches and pains. But nothing too bad.”

I nod, marking a box on Lou’s chart. I turn to Carol. “Same for you, Carol?”

She nods.

Because of her trouble breathing, Carol doesn’t speak much. Doesn’t seem to be an issue. Lou talks enough for the both of them.

“Any word on that heart?” Lou asks. “Carol and I just learned that we’re the same blood type. Wouldn’t it be charming if the same donor covered for both of us?”

I smile. “Charming if not a bit macabre, Lou.” I frown. “Unfortunately, nothing yet. But you never know.”

“I never loved the idea of a young person having to die for me to live,” Lou says. “But I’ll hold out a bit longer.” He sits up and leans toward me. “Carol and I have a pact. We’re going to give it another month. If no hearts or lungs have arrived by the beginning of March, we’re going to refuse further treatment and enter hospice together.”

Carol nods. “It’s true.”

I gasp. “You can’t do that! Organs take time. Some people wait months, even years, for the right match.”

Lou holds up a hand. “We’ve lived long lives and we’ve thought a lot about the decision.”

My lips quiver, but I hold back any tears for Lou and Carol’s sake. “I’ll inform Dr. O’Rourke of your decision. You can always change your mind.”

I turn toward the door. I’m usually pretty good about separating my feelings from my patients—after all, this is a hospital, and people dying is a common occurrence—but Carol and Lou are special. I was really hoping they’d make it.

They still could.

A miracle could happen.

They’ve been waiting so long.

After I find Dr. O’Rourke, I’ll go into the employee bathroom and have a good cry.

At least I’m no longer turned on.

I go to the nurses station. Dinah is there, typing something on the computer.

Her eyes widen when she sees me. “Alissa! Have you been ignoring your phone? I’ve been texting you all morning.”

I blink. I haven’t looked at my phone since last night. Maddox has been on my mind. I had to fish it out of my purse this morning on my way out the door.

In fact—shit. I didn’t charge it last night. I meant to plug it in once I got to the hospital, but I tossed it in my locker like I always do. It’s probably dead, or about to die.

Oh, God. Like Carol and Lou.

I swallow the emotions down.

“Sorry. I’ve been preoccupied.”

Dinah narrows her eyes. “Did you have a good date last night?”

The clouds covering my brain part a bit, allowing a little sunlight to come through. I smile at Dinah. “Yeah, actually. He’s a great guy. I’m seeing him again tonight.”

Dinah drops her jaw. “A second date less than twenty-four hours later? Damn, Alissa, he must have itbad.”

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