Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 57099 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 285(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57099 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 285(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
Dr. Patel met my eyes directly, something hardening in her gaze. “The preliminary psychological evaluation has raised… concerns among two committee members.”
“What concerns?” Lavender asked, her voice thin with sudden tension.
Dr. Patel sighed, removing her glasses and pinching the bridge of her nose. When she spoke again, her words carried barely restrained anger. “I’m going to be blunt with you both because I respect you too much for hospital-approved euphemisms. Certain members of the committee have expressed reservations about Mr. Leahy’s criminal history and his current affiliations with a motorcycle club reportedly full of ex-convicts.” The words hit like a physical blow. My vision tunneled, the edges of the room darkening as rage bloomed hot in my chest. “They’re questioning your motivation for donating,” Dr. Patel continued, her tone making it clear these weren’t her words. “Some have suggested you might be attempting to manipulate Ms. Calloway or establish an unhealthy control dynamic.”
“That’s fucking ridiculous,” I snarled, my fingers clenching reflexively around Lavender’s hand before I caught myself and abruptly let go, afraid I’d hurt her in my anger. “She’s my daughter and I just fucking found her.”
“I know,” Dr. Patel said firmly. “And for the record, I chose to phrase it exactly as they did in committee, rather than use the softer language the hospital administrator suggested, because I fundamentally disagree with their assessment. I’ve spent considerable time with both you and Brynn, together and separately. Your motivations are crystal clear to anyone actually paying attention. You want to help that girl with every breath you take, and you love her mother just as much.”
Lavender reached for my hand again, but I kept mine clenched in a fist on my knee, not trusting myself to touch her without somehow transferring the violence building inside me.
“What do we do?” Lavender asked, her voice surprisingly steady. “How do we win this fight?”
Dr. Patel leaned forward, her professional detachment giving way to quiet determination. “I’ve been advocating strongly on your behalf since the committee meeting this morning. I’ve arranged for an expedited personal interview for Mr. Leahy with the full transplant committee this afternoon at four PM. It’s short notice, but if you had a lawyer present, the board might be intimidated enough to proceed. Needless to say, any reasonable person would never have brought this up.”
“Will that be enough?” Lavender pressed.
“I hope so,” Dr. Patel replied, honesty bleeding through her professional facade. “Several committee members are already on our side. The chief of nephrology and I have worked together for fifteen years. He trusts my judgment.”
I barely heard them, blood rushing in my ears as I fought to contain the rage threatening to explode from my chest. My past was, indeed, coming back to haunt me. Only Brynn would be the collateral damage. The bitter irony of it twisted like a knife between my ribs.
“There’s more we need to discuss,” Dr. Patel continued, her voice growing heavier. “Brynn’s latest labs suggest we are going to have to make a decision. Her body is retaining fluid, and her creatinine levels have risen sharply. The fatigue, the headaches, are both related to her kidney failure.”
“What does that mean?” Lavender asked, though I could tell from her voice she already knew.
“It means if we can’t proceed with the transplant within the next twenty-four hours, we’ll need to begin dialysis,” Dr. Patel said, her words falling like stones into still water. “It’s not what any of us want. Dialysis is hard on anyone, but especially difficult for a young woman Brynn’s age. Once we start, she stays on it until a transplant becomes available.”
“But you said dialysis makes it more likely the graft of the transplanted kidney wouldn’t take.” Lavender’s voice wavered slightly, but she put her chin up.
“That’s correct. Which is why this whole delay is so irritating.” She looked at me. “I have no idea if this is personal or just two blowholes pretending to be relevant or if they’re abusing their power because they can.” Dr. Patel glanced from me to Lavender and back. “I will get to the bottom of it. I’ll warn you now, though, I will not be the professional you’re used to dealing with in this meeting.” Her gaze turned dark and I knew I had at least one ally outside my club. “We will get this sorted out.”
Something cracked inside me, the thin veneer of control I’d maintained splintering under the weight of it all. I surged to my feet, the chair scraping harshly against the floor. “This is my daughter’s life,” I growled, the words tearing from my throat. “Not some goddamned political game. Brynn shouldn’t have to pay for my past crimes, which, by the way, I already paid for. Dearly.”
“Mr. Leahy --” Dr. Patel began, but I was already moving.
“Knight,” Lavender reached for my arm, but I shook her off gently.