to do that.”
“This is part of the reason I like to keep my public life out of it. I have the resources to help, both in my blood and my bank account. If that’s something you’d be okay with, I would really like to help with Ian’s medical expenses. Anything his insurance doesn’t cover…”
“Stan…” Mrs. Lovecraft grabs her husband’s arm. Tears fall freely down her face now. He places his arm around her and hugs her tight. Seeing that they need a minute, I excuse myself.
“Um, I need to finish up the consents. I’ll give you a moment.” I haven’t yet been able to ask them about the other thing.
While I fill out the consents for the bone marrow harvest and anesthesia, Mr. and Mrs. Lovecraft talk to the doctors. Ian won’t get my marrow today. That procedure is scheduled for tomorrow, and I’m really hoping his parents will let me talk to him, either before or after the procedure.
Ian’s been on pretty heavy immunosuppressive medications getting his body ready for the transplant. His immune system is shot to hell. The last thing I want is to accidentally infect him with a virus I don’t even know I have, but I really want to meet the kid.
He’s a fighter, and I pray he’ll be a survivor like Lucy and Trevor.
“Kaleb…” Mr. Lovecraft stands when I return. I’m dressed in scrub bottoms and one of those hospital gowns that gape in the back. A blue cap covers my hair as I prep for surgery.
For me, the harvest is simple. A little bit of anesthesia. A needle shoved into my hipbone. They take the marrow, and I wake up with a sore hip. His parents treat me like a hero, but I’m really not. I’m just a guy trying to do some good in this world.
“Yes?”
“Thank you for such a generous offer. It means the world to us.”
I did a little digging and Ian’s medical expenses are on the verge of bankrupting his parents. The only reason they aren’t financially devastated is because of the insurance Mr. Lovecraft’s company provides. I can help make their life a little easier.
“Thanks for letting me help out. I’ll send you all the details.” I shake hands with Mr. Lovecraft. Mrs. Lovecraft pulls me into a hug. It’s tighter, and more familiar than it should be, but that’s okay. I don’t mind one bit.
“Do you think I might be able to meet Ian? Afterward, I mean.”
I don’t want them to think my donation comes with any strings. And if they want to keep my identity from Ian, that’s totally cool too. My whole public persona comes with a lot of baggage.
“We’d really like that.” Mrs. Lovecraft’s smile is coming easier now. It’s my hope I’ve helped to ease her burden in some small way.
“Mr. Crowne?” A nurse calls out my name.
“Well, this is it.” I stand and gather the awkward gown around me.
“Thank you.” Mrs. Lovecraft clasps her hands and holds them to her chest while she weeps.
“Thank you.” Mr. Lovecraft stands and shifts back and forth. He’s a strong man, a proud man, and completely devastated by his son’s illness.
I excuse myself and head back with the nurse. They place an IV, give me my anesthesia, and I wake up a little groggy on the other side. It’s really a rather simple procedure. I wish more people were willing to place themselves on the bone marrow registry.
Mr. and Mrs. Lovecraft are there when I get out of recovery and invite me to dinner. It’s there I tell them about the special bond I share with Lucy and Trevor.
“This is Lucy’s graduation.” I show them the photos on my phone, and this is when she went to prom.”
“It’s amazing how you’ve kept up with them through the years.” Mrs. Lovecraft takes a long time looking at my photos.
“We get together at least once a year to celebrate Donation Day.”
“Donation Day?” Mr. Lovecraft checks out my piercings. They’re all back in place.
“I look a little different now, don’t I?”
“I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to stare.”
“It’s no problem. Each means something to me. I got one for Lucy’s bone marrow transplant, then again when she needed stem cells. I got this one for Trevor.”
“Will you be getting one for Ian?”
“I’d like to.” They’re permanent reminders of how fragile life can be. I even got one after I met Bash and learned about his twin’s battle with bone cancer.
“You have pictures of Lucy with Trevor? All three of you together?”
“Yeah,