Page 16 of Meet Me in the Dark: The Complete Series

“As I said,” she continues, “once a name is placed on the list, from there, it’s a waiting game. Because of how advanced yoursister’s renal failure is, I’m sure, should her name be put on the list, that would put her toward the top.”

I ignore her word choices to ask, “So, does that ensure she’ll get a kidney soon?”

“It depends on a lot. Here’s some information that breaks down some of the factors that go into the decision for who is chosen when a donor is found.”

I take the pamphlet she extends to me, feeling like she could just tell me and save me some time. But due to the haughty look she’s still throwing my way, I doubt she thinks I’m worth her time. I smile at her anyway, as I rise from my seat.

“You be sure to let me know when that payment goes through,” I tell her. “I look forward to seeing you in my sister's room, giving us the good news. Have a good day, Stacy."

"It's Stephanie."

"Oh." I know her damn name.

I leave the office, make sure I'm a good distance away before I break down. Head leaning back against the wall, eyes closed, tears leaking out of them anyway, I let a shuddering breath leave me. My hand goes to my chest, feels my racing heart beneath it. I blow out a hard breath, still in a bit of disbelief at what I was just able to do. The fact that I just got done signing a check that means Charlotte's name can get added to the transplant list. That I was just able to take care of something that has weighed upon Charlotte most of all, but me and Lexa as well, so easily, at last. After having to give small payments here, charging things to my already overdrawn account there, it feels almost like a dream I never want to wake up from now that it's all done.

The moment I woke up on Sunday morning in the hotel, I grabbed my phone. The relief that rushed through me whenI saw all the money Law had promised in my account is unexplainable. I immediately felt an enormous weight lift off of my shoulders. So much anxiety, sadness, and concern gone, the six digits on my screen telling me they wouldn't return. Sure, there was still finding a donor in time, and Charlotte's surgery and recovery to worry about, but this was the part that caused the most sleepless nights.

I push away the bit of annoyance that I had to wait until today to even make the payment. I'd come to Stephanie's office first thing Monday morning, but all I found was an out of office notice on the door. The same thing awaited me on Tuesday and Wednesday. I'd damn near let out a whoop when I got there today and saw the door open.

But none of that matters now. The arguments I've had with doctors and Stephanie about them being so heartless as to need payment before they'd put Charlotte’s name on the transplant list. All the tips me and Lexa have poured into just trying to keep up with the hospital bills, while also trying to save money for the surgery. The missed sleep from working overtime and spending what time I should have been sleeping visiting Charlotte, it was all worth it; I'd do it all again, but God, am I glad it's done now.

"Are you okay, dear?"

My eyes open at the sound of Veronica's voice. I smile at her.

"I am much more than okay." I chuckle.

She looks confused but smiles back at me anyway. "Well, let's go see that sister of yours. She should be in a good mood. I let her win at poker yesterday."

I laugh. "Dare I ask what the hell you guys were betting with?"

"I brought in my little piggy bank, and we used that. She got me for about five bucks."

"Ah, but you let her, right?"

"Of course, of course."

We walk into the ward, and she begins walking toward the nursing station.

"I'll be in there in a few."

"Alright."

I walk, probably now that I'm alone noticing the pep in my step, to Charlotte's room.

"The best sister in the world is here," I announce as I enter, but the moment I see Charlotte, my smile drops. "What's wrong?"

She's pale and looks like she hasn't slept in days, with dark circles under her tired eyes. When I left here last night, she did not look like this, didn't even tell me she wasn't feeling well.

"She spiked a fever this morning," the nurse tells me, finishing up taking blood from Charlotte's arm.

"This morning!" I exclaim. "Why didn't you call me, Char?"

"And say what?" she weakly asks. The sound of her voice, the tiredness in it, how it looks like it takes so much effort for her to speak, breaks my heart. "I have a fever, leave work and rush down here to watch me have a fever? There was nothing you could do anyway."

I swallow, wishing I could tell her I quit my job, so I truly could have been here with her this morning. She's right. There's nothing I could have done, but I would have liked to have been here anyway. The thought of her being in pain without me here to comfort her has never and will never sit right with me.

"Have you started antibiotics?" I ask the nurse, coming to stand at the end of the bed.

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