“He’s type O negative? Oh, God. He can only get blood transfusions from another typo Onegative.”
“Same goes for a kidneytransplant.”
12
Tristan
Aweek passedsince Izzie had obliterated his known world. All he believed true had turned out false and Tristan’s head was still reeling from the implications. He didn’t hate her as he used to, but he didn’t trust her either. Trust was a delicate thing that once shattered took time, and a lot of reassuring evidence, to be mended. It was a process. He was aware of that and was beginning to believe Izzie knew it too. She hadn’t pushed him, or demanded anything from him, over the pastweek.
After agreeing to donate a kidney to Arthur, a marathon of laboratory tests and doctor’s appointments followed, turning the remaining of Tristan’s life upside down. And through the shifting sands that his existence had become, Izzie stood out as an unexpected constant. She accompanied him to the appointments, made sure he ate and slept enough, and found time to cheer up his mom with regularvisits.
If the pieces of his crushed trust had not yet been glued back together, his foolish heart proved much more resilient. Or masochist. Tristan was not quite sure which was the case with his old ticker. It just went berserk every time Izzie got close. Good thing his brain didn’t follow suit. At least, not all thetime.
He put his doubts aside as he turned the metal knob of Nelson’s office at Chez Nous. He had called a meeting with Nelson and Noah to discuss therestaurant.
“I wish you were that punctual for rehearsals,” Noah grumbled as Tristan flopped on the empty chair besidehim.
“Don’t start,” Tristan gruntedback.
“You two behave now,” Nelson admonished them in his usual fatherly tone. Over twenty years their senior, he pulled that off without pissing them off. “Let’s stick to the agenda, shall we?” When the two Americans bumped fists, Nelson grinned. “That’s more like it. What’s the plan Tristan? Still runningtests?”
“Yeah. The doctors began tests here, but more will be done in the U. S., when I get there. Arthur will be tested as well. For now, the doctors are focusing on assessment. They want to make sure I’m a compatibledonor.”
Noah had regained his habitual sunny disposition. “I thought all they needed to know was your bloodtype.”
“That is a key element, but other things must be considered. They’ve also run ECG, urine, and glucose tolerance tests, to name afew.”
Nelson nodded. “My nephew went through the same ordeal some years ago, when he donated a kidney to his daughter. If memory serves, the idea is to ensure your physical and psychological health are up to par for a transplant procedure,correct?”
“That is correct. A major surgery is a taxing procedure under any circumstances. They want to make sure I’m fit forit.”
“You mean they won’t go forward with the procedure, if they find out you’re a basket case? Izzie should start looking elsewhere,” Noahtaunted.
“I must be certifiable to have gotten into business with you, BabyFace.”
The three men laughed, but Nelson steered the conversation back to the serious topic, “Son, between your mother’s health issues and the transplant, I’d say you should concentrate on your family. Do what you’ve got to do for them and forget the rest. Chez Nous will be here, when you get it all sorted out. Meanwhile, it’s in goodhands.”
“Never doubted that. I called this meeting because I wanted to have a chance to talk to you and Noah, explain why I’ve vanished, so you don’t think I’m jumpingship.”
“No worries, man,” Noah retorted. “I might have twisted your arm all those years ago to get you to invest in the restaurant, but you’ve come a long way sincethen.”
“Goofball.”
Tristan would miss the crazy bastard while he was gone. Not that he would ever admit it to Noah,though.
Unfolding from the chair, Tristan shook Nelson’s hand. “I’m going to California in a few days. Call me day or night, if you needme.”
“Focus on getting your son back on his feet. Let us worry about therest.”
As he and Noah left Nelson’s office, and crossed the corridor to the one they shared, Tristan savored the feeling that Nelson’s words revived. He had a son. He hadn’t gotten over the thrill, and the dread, the thought caused inhim.
“Excited about meeting him?” Noah asked, as they settled behind theirdesks.
“You mean Arthur? I’m psyched. Andterrified.”
“I would be too, if I were in your shoes. How aboutIzzie?”
“What abouther?”
