I was hoping there would be a quick end to this. I really wanted that.”
Her breath shuttered, and she coughed as if feeling awkward. “It’s for the best. I know you wanted to help, but I didn’t want you to make a sacrifice like that. Honestly, I wasn’t comfortable with it.”
“It’s my decision, Maya, and we’ve known each other a long time.”
“But we just started hanging out, and relationships are hard enough without the added pressure of someone giving up an organ. I joked about it that one time, but I wasn’t serious. You don’t owe me anything, and I don’t ever want you to feel like you do.”
“This wasn’t about me owing you. It’s about the fact that I love you and want you to get better.”
She sniffed, and I could tell she was crying but trying to muffle the sound.
“We’ll get through this together,” I said. “We’ll find someone else who is a match.”
“Thank you, Easton.” Her voice sounded strained and extremely tired. “I’ve been thinking about our relationship, and I think it would be best if we take a break.”
I inhaled sharply, her words slicing through me. “What? Why would you say that?”
“We weren’t even able to get to the dating stage, the part that’s supposed to be fun. My health issues are a downer, and you don’t need that in your life. You have other—”
“Maya—”
“Just listen to me for a moment, Easton. I know you want to be there for me, and I appreciate that, but this isn’t fair to you. The last thing I want is for you to feel obligated to be there for me because of what I’m going through. It would kill me if you felt that way.”
“I don’t. Not at all.”
“Maybe not now, but this is just the beginning. It could take years before I’m able to get a transplant, and eventually, you’ll grow tired of this.” She hesitated, and I knew what was coming next. “I love you, and that’s the reason I’m letting you go. Please don’t try to change my mind. I’m doing this for you. You have so many other things you should be focusing on. The Warrior Obstacle Challenge, for instance.” I could hear the pain in her voice. “You should focus on that.”
“Maya, no.” All the agony of the last few weeks weighed down on me, crushing me on the inside. “Don’t do this.”
“I’m setting you free. It’s a good thing. You might not see it now, but you will later.”
“I don’t want that.”
“But it’s what I want. I’m sorry. I really am, but it’s for the best.” She ended the call, and I placed a hand over my stomach, feeling as if she’d just gutted me.
Lord, what do I do? How do I convince her that I’m all in?
My eyes landed on my Bible and I picked it up, needing answers. It fell open to a place I’d bookmarked, the Philippians two passage I’d been meditating on lately. That was it. That was how I’d prove to her that I was all in.
I sent a text to Verity to tell her I was running late and then I got in my car and drove to Maya’s apartment. After I parked, I grabbed my Bible and ran up the stairs, adrenaline racing through my veins. Once I was at the door, I knocked, and waited for her to answer. After another minute, I pounded my fist on the door. “Maya, I know you’re in there. I’m not leaving until we talk face-to-face.”
She opened the door, looking pale and exhausted and like she’d been bearing the weight of the world on her shoulders. “I meant what I said, Easton. We can still be friends, but I can’t see you right now.”
“We need to talk. You said your piece. Let me say mine.”
She glanced at the Bible in my hand and her eyebrows flew up. “Okay.” She let me in and gestured for me to have a seat on the couch. She sat next to me and turned to face me, her face drawn and almost expressionless as if she were trying to put on a false mask to hide her feelings.
I opened my Bible to Philippians 2:3-7 and read the passage to her.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ