I have a decision to make. Can I walk away from this woman knowing that I might be able to save her life? What kind of person would that make me?
Hattie’s right in that I have to find some way to let go of the past. Carla and I will never have a mother-son relationship, but I don’t want to hold on to the anger and the resentment any longer. If only so that I can be the best version of myself for Hattie.
I stand, suddenly needing to get out of here. I’ve had all the heart-to-hearts with Carla that I can take for one day. “I’m going to take off.”
She nods, looking disappointed again.
“Before I go, you should know that I’m going to be tested to see if I’m a match.” I swallow past the lump in my throat.
Her eyes widen, and tears build. “You don’t have to do that. That’s not why I wanted to speak with you.”
I shove my hands in my pockets and rock back on my heels. “I know. That’s why I’m doing it. I don’t know what the future holds for the two of us, but I know it would eat away at me if I knew I could have helped and I didn’t do it. Mostly because it would hurt Hattie.”
The first tear drips down her face. “You’re a good man, Bastion. Despite me, you’re a good man.”
Having no idea what to say to that, I nod and leave the room. Robert and Hattie are leaning against a wall halfway down the hall. He gives me a nod as he passes by to rejoin his wife.
Hattie approaches me hesitantly. “How did it go?”
I pull her in for a hug, dipping my head down and inhaling the scent of her hair. “It was difficult, but necessary. You were right about that.”
She squeezes me tighter, and we stand there holding each other while life goes on around us. Hattie doesn’t ask if I’ve decided, and I love her all the more for it.
“I’ve decided something.”
“Oh?” I can tell she’s trying to keep the hope from her voice, likely for my benefit.
When I pull away, she’s staring up at me with wide eyes.
“I’m going to get tested. If I’m a match, I’ll donate my kidney to her.”
Her face crumples, and she wraps her arms around my neck, squeezing tightly. “Thank you, Bast. Thank you. I would have understood if you didn’t want to, but thank you.”
The news comes a few weeks later—I’m a match.
EPILOGUE
HATTIE
The wind whips snow in my face as I make my way down the sidewalk toward the café. One thing I don’t miss about Wisconsin is the winters, that’s for sure.
Both Bast’s and my mom’s operations went well, although Bast’s recovery is harder than my mom’s, she has a longer stay in the hospital. My dad still needs to work, and having me around lets me help her during the week. She’s doing much better, though, and I don’t anticipate having to be with her for longer than another couple of weeks.
I’ve made a few weekend trips back to Seattle to see Bast, and he’s come out here as much as he can to see me. This weekend is another one of his trips out here, and I’m eager to see him. Though I’m unsure why he asked me to meet him at the café where we used to see each other rather than coming straight to my place.
The bell dings when I rush through the door, looking down to stomp the snow off my boots on the mat. When I look up, I still. The café is empty. The lights are all on, but no one is here. No customers, no employees, nothing.
“Hello?” I call and take a few tentative steps forward. “Is anyone here?”
No one answers, and I take another look around. This is so confusing.
“Hello?” I step farther in, and movement to my left behind the counter draws my attention.
Bast saunters out of the staff door, looking for all the world as though he owns the place.
“Hi…” I’m excited to see him but still so confused as to what he’s doing behind the counter. “What’s going on?” I motion toward the empty café. “What are you doing back there?”
He grins and hops over the counter with one hand on it with seemingly little trouble. “Don’t I get a kiss hello?”
