Page 90 of The Wish
Kelly tries again. ‘So, I wondered if you’d like to join me here? I thought we could have pizza, find a movie for us all to watch, and take turns checking on Jesse. Alex . . . are you still there?’
Alex clears his throat. ‘Sorry, I’m just shattered after the past few days working to get Jesse’s wish made. I’m going to have to crash tonight. Good luck, I hope it all goes OK.’
Kelly is puzzled by Alex’s tone. They’re all shattered. He’s been so amazing these past weeks. What has suddenly changed?
‘OK, fine. Well, you get some rest.’
‘And Kelly—’
It’s too late, she has ended the call.
Late that evening, curled up on the sofa with Max, music playing but not heard, Alex is staring into space, more asleep than awake. He pretends he doesn’t hear his phone ring. Max watches him ignore the ringing phone. Max places his large paw on Alex’s hand and nudges him. Alex stirs and looks at the missed call: not Kelly or Jesse or Mandy. An unknown number. Dropping the phone back on the sofa beside him he closes his eyes. He is about to nod off when he jerks up, grabs the phone and hits return call. It answers on the second ring.
‘Hello, Alex, this is Christine, Jesse’s doctor.’
Alex says nothing.
‘Are you there, Alex?’ Christine asks.
‘Yes. I’m here.’
‘We have your bone marrow results back.’
‘Uh huh.’
‘I can’t say you’re a perfect match, but Alex, you have enough markers for me to go and speak to Mandy and Dean.’
‘What are you saying?’
‘That, if you’re willing, and Mandy and Dean agree to what is a risky procedure given how sick Jesse is, we would be prepared to undertake a transplant.’
‘What do you mean, markers?’
‘Well, it’s quite complicated but we can only consider a transplant if there are a certain number of matching markers between the donor and the recipient. I’m saying you have enough markers for us to do so.’
‘You’re saying you could give Jesse a transplant from me, and it might work?’
‘Yes, if you are prepared to donate and Mandy and Dean say yes to the procedure.’
‘OK.’
‘What does that mean? I need to hear you say yes.’
‘Yes! I mean yes!’
CHAPTER 37
Sandy checks the IV running into Jesse’s arm. Dean, Mandy and Sam sit on her bed. Jesse tries to keep her eyes open, she wants to talk to her family, but she can’t stay awake. Dean looks over at Amy’s bed, stripped bare, her pinboard empty. Once again, he is overwhelmed by conflicting emotions – the sight of the empty bed reminds him that Amy is at home with her family, getting stronger.Soon, Jesse’s bed will be empty, but . . .He can’t finish the thought.
There is movement at the door and Amy, Ryan and Luke appear. Dean nudges Mandy who sees them and smiles, indicating for them to come in. Looking at Dean, she nods at Sam and signals to the door. Dean picks Sam up and the three of them leave the room and join the parents of the three friends.
Watching Jesse’s parents and brother leave, Amy, Ryan and Luke climb on the bed with Jesse. Amy strokes her friend’s hair and Jesse opens her eyes and immediately her face lights up. She tries to sit up, but can’t. Luke snuggles up to Jesse and kisses her on the cheek before climbing off the bed and walking away. Ryan gets off the bed and stands leaning over her face. For several moments they smile at each other before Ryan tenderly kisses her on the lips. A tear falls onto Jesse’s face. With nothing more to be said, Ryan squeezes Jesse’s hand then slowly walks out of the room without looking back.
Amy lies beside Jesse, cuddling into her as she falls back into a deep sleep. A short while later, Amy is gently coaxed off the bedby her parents. Kelly has come into the room and sits on Amy’s bed watching the two girls. Mandy joins Amy and her parents, and she and Amy embrace for a long time. Picking up a beanie from Jesse’s bedside table Mandy places it on Amy’s head. She watches as Amy’s mother helps her daughter from the room.
Kelly is startled when Christine taps her on the shoulder, whispering something urgently to her. Kelly’s face registers amazement. Nodding her understanding, Kelly approaches Mandy and Dean.
‘Can you join me outside, please?’ she whispers. ‘Sam can stay here with Jesse; we won’t be long.’
