Chapter 23

We took breakfast at a small coffee shop not far from the hospital. And before going there we bought some healthy food for my dad and we brought it to him. He seemed to be getting better, when we got there he told me that the doctor was coming soon, and he came half an hour after our arrival. Greg came out of the room to let us talk. I know my dad would have preferred me to go out too, but that was out of the question.

"So Mr. Wyatt, how are you feeling?" the doctor asked once Greg had closed the door behind him.

"Well I think"

"So I want to talk about your results. I had spoken to your daughter a bit about this before, thes tests were basically to see what state your kidneys are in. And I'm sorry to tell you but you're in the end-stage of the kidney failure. This means that your kidneys have stopped working."

I was holding my father's hand very tightly and my heart was racing. That's what I feared the most. I had to hold myself very tight not to cry in front of my father. I wanted to be strong for him.

"And how is it cured?" I asked with a shaky voice.

"As I told you the other time, kidney transplantation is by far the best solution, either from a living donor or from organ donation. That's why the next step is to test if he is eligible for a kidney donation then we will put him on the waiting list. In the meantime, he will have to do hemodialysis, or three sessions a week which he will start today ."

"How long is the wait, if he's on the waiting list."

"I can't assure you of that, because it depends on a lot of things. Some people wait years."

I looked at my father who was also staring at me. A lot of things were going through my head, like the fact that I was going to have to completely change my life, or if I would be able to cover all the costs that it would take. If I ever came back to live here, I would have no more work so he and I will have no other income.

The doctor left after explaining all the options to us. I followed him outside to ask him questions I didn't want to ask in front of my father.

"I would like to know, what is his life expectancy if ever the transplant is delayed."

"I can't tell you, because every patient responds differently to dialysis."

"And will he be able to travel, because I work in Florida and moving to take care of him is not the best option for me."

"Of course, all you have to do is make an appointment at a dialysis center closest to where he will be staying, then let us know so that we can send them your file."

"Thank you very much Doctor." he nodded and left. As I stood alone in the hallway thousands of thoughts began to race through my head. I was super anxious thinking about what's next. I had to find out if his health insurance was going to cover dialysis, then I was going to have to quit one of my jobs if my father ever agreed to come with me to Miami. Then I was going to have to find another financial solution because a single job was not going to be enough to make us live with all the medical expenses that were going to accumulate. I felt overwhelmed by the situation then I gave free rein to all my emotions, tears welled up in me and I started crying with my back against the wall.

"Hey." Gerg called out to me. I tried to blink back my tears and wiped away the spilled ones before turning back to him. But he noticed it all the same "Are you crying? What is it?" he took my face in his hands and stared at me.

"It's okay it's nothing."

"Don't tell me it's nothing, I can see very well that there's something wrong." he took me by the hand and led me to the end of the corridor there were seats and made me sit down. And sat next to me. He took my hands in his.

"Talk to me please." he said looking me in the eye. I looked down.

"It's just that it's hard to manage and I feel like I'm helpless in all this, I don't know what to do, I have to take care of him but at the same time, I have to work to pay for his medical bills and I don't know how I'm going to do both at the same time or even if I'm going to be able to do it." I started to sob and he approached me and took me in his arms. We stayed like that for a few minutes.

"Hey, look at me." he slid his hand under my chin to lift my face up. "Let me help you. Please." I wiped away my tears and looked at him seriously.

"No I can't ask you that, you've already done too much. I don't want to pass for the girl who takes advantage of your money."

"But you're not taking advantage of my money. I'm the one offering you my help."

"No, it's up to me and me alone to find a way to handle this." I stopped crying and got up, I left him there disappointed. I knew that the help he was offering me would be invaluable. But I didn't want to br indebted to him because of that. I didn't know what end was going to have this mini story that was being created between us.

I told myself that I had managed to get by on my own and had always done so, I was hoping to find a way to do it even now.

I made sure to collect myself before entering my father's room. He had his eyes closed but opened them when he heard me enter.

"Hey, where did your friend go?"

"Outside."

"There's a nurse named Gloria, who told me your friend was very famous and very rich. I didn't know you had friends like that Meggie."

"Because we haven't known each other for a long time."

"Anyway, he seems to care a lot about you." I gave a small smile. Then got serious again.

"Dad, we need to talk." then I stared at me silently.

"You're going to have to come with me to Miami." I hated myself for having to impose that on him. But no matter how much I turned the question around in my head, coming back to live here would mean starting from scratch, looking for a new job. At least there I had two.

"No Meggie, coming with you would mean interfering in your life. And I don't want you to put your life aside because of me. What kind of father would I be if I did this to you. That's my role to take care of yourself, not the other way around."

"I can't believe it." I muttered frowning at him. "And you can tell me who will take care of you if you ever stay here."

"Me. I'll take care of myself."

"Could you just stop being stubborn for once. You'll be on dialysis dad, you won't be able to take care of yourself."

"I don't want you stressing about it baby."

"How can you ask me that?" I started to get angry. "You know damn well that's impossible so please stop being obstinate." I closed my eyes for a second and took a deep breath to calm myself down.

"Listen Daddy! I'm an adult now and I'm fully capable of taking care of me and you. It was you who taught me that it's always going to be you and me through thick and thin. You've cared enough from me, now it's my turn." He looked at me then took my hand in his.

"Now listen to me too, you're an adult and I know it. But now is the time for you to live your life not spend all your time taking care of me."

"But..." I started to protest but he shut me up.

"There are no buts, my decision is made." and to mark the end of the discussion he turned his head and closed his eyes. I stared at him in bewilderment, as if the stress I had wasn't enough I had to add my father's stubbornness. I felt mentally weary.

I decided to leave the room to go and take a walk outside. As I was turning my back from the bed, I noticed Greg standing in the doorway. I don't know how long he had been there but judging from the compassionate look he looked at me I assumed he had heard part of the discussion. I approached him and he opened his arms and pulled me against him to hug me.