“Hospital policy is two weeks.If no one requires it after that time, or there’s no call for it from another hospital, we dump it.”
Rhyne stared at him as he tried to keep the silly ass grin off his face.He already knew there were “norms” when it came to handling blood and plasma, and that every hospital had its own rules it followed regarding disposal.Although nearly a hundred percent of blood donations were used within a short amount of time after collection, those of the ultra-rare types like AB neg were often trashed due to lack of need.
The irony was indisputable.The rarer the blood type, the less call there was for it.Which in turn, creates a dilemma for those individuals who need it but can’t find it due to limited stock.
In short, the mysterious donor was giving blood that may never be utilized, but would continue to do so because there could be a need sometime in the near future.Maybe.
Distant approaching headlights brought their conversation to a halt, and Rhyne perched himself on the seat.“Thanks again, Norris.You’re a lifesaver.”
“Hey.”The young man got to his feet.“One of these days, will you tell me about…you know?”
“Sure,” Rhyne promised, knowing he’d never keep his word.Not that he didn’t want to, but because if it ever got out that his kind truly existed, there’d be more than hell to pay.Norris knew too much already.But if he was ever pressed about the issue, he’d have zero evidence to back his word.
Giving the guy a little salute, Rhyne turned around to get back on the sidewalk and return home where the others were waiting for him.When he eventually arrived at the house, he discovered Nash had fixed supper.
“We left you your portion in the fridge,” the man informed him.
“What did ja get for us this time?”Welsh asked as he and Nash joined him in the kitchen as Rhyne unpacked the backpack.“Oh, and what was so important that you refused my offer to go get the bags?”
Rhyne understood what his roomie was insinuating.He also knew both men could spot a lie from a mile away.
“I wanted to ask him about the AB negative blood bag we’d received.I wanted to know if there was more.”
“And?”Welsh urged.“What did Norris say?”
Rhyne stared up at them.“He’s been dumping some of the blood from the bags before he lets us have them.”The reaction he’d expected to see mirrored his own when Norris had told him.
“He’sdumpingthe blood?”Nash exclaimed.“Why?He knows we need the nutrients!Why the fuck is he emptying the bags first?”
“He said it was because he had a supervisor peering over his shoulder, making sure he followed protocol.”
“What happens when the supervisor isn’t around?Is he still gonna get rid of perfectly good blood?”Welsh demanded.
“He doesn’t know it’s still okay for us to have,” Rhyne argued.
“So why didn’t you tell him to let us have the whole bag anyway?”Nash added.
“I did, just not in those words,” Rhyne admitted.“But I think he got that impression.I couldn’t go into detail.A car was coming up the drive, so I had to cut our conversation short.”
A glance inside the fridge revealed a large slab of raw meat sitting on a plate.From the scent coming off it, he knew it was venison.
“That smells delicious.”Taking it out, he set it on the counter next to the stove.For some reason he couldn’t fathom, Welsh snickered as the two men grabbed a blood bag.
Rhyne knew his roomies liked to eat their meatau tartar.He, on the other hand, liked it lightly seared on both sides, sealing in and warming up the red juices without actually cooking it.He added some of the canned green beans Nash had dumped in a pot on the stove and joined the others at the dining room table.
Several minutes passed as they enjoyed their repast in silent companionship, until Nash brought up the subject.
“You know, maybe it’s time we think about moving on.How long have we been here now?Seven years?”
“It’ll be seven years come January,” Rhyne informed him.“By the way, this deer meat is terrific.”
“Thanks.”
No one asked how he’d obtained it, but it was a great perk, since he worked at the meat packing plant down by the river.Nash tried to bring home something at least once a week.Usually cuts that were normally disposed of.
“So how do you two feel about us giving the landlord our thirty day and moving on?”Nash suggested, changing the topic.
“I’d kind of like to stay on a bit longer,” Rhyne confessed.
