meg generations by Steve Alten

Author:Steve Alten [Alten, Steve]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Fort Lauderdale International Airport

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

IT WAS 8:18 P.M. on the east coast when David Taylor stepped out of the air-conditioned terminal and into the South Florida humidity. He sat on a concrete bench and waited while his sister finished circling the airport for the fourth time―the uniformed police officers refusing to allow any cars to linger more than sixty seconds in the passenger pick-up lanes.

He stood as the rental car pulled up curbside. Opening the rear passenger door, he tossed his bag in back and then climbed up front with Dani.

You look tired, she said, leaning over to give him a quick hug.

You look worried. How bad is she?

They don’t think she’ll last the night. Of course, they said that yesterday too, and she hung on.

Geez … David laid his head back, tears welling in his eyes. What happened to that whole white cell thing?

We waited too long. I called the doctor yesterday and I told him to bring in the donor to initiate the protocol. As of two hours ago there’s an IV bag at his clinic filled with cancer-killing granulocytes waiting to save mom’s life.

That’s great!

No, it’s not. Dr. Maharaj doesn’t feel mom’s strong enough to handle it. He’s probably right, but if we don’t give it to her, she’s going to die anyway.

Then give it to her.

It’s complicated, Dani said, turning on to the ramp leading to the Florida Turnpike. Dr. Maharaj isn’t affiliated with the hospital, so he can’t just walk in and hook up an IV.

So we’ll bring her to him.

She’s not strong enough to travel.

Ugh! So what are we supposed to do?

If we can get the granulocytes, I can hook the bag up to her IV.

Maharaj will give it to you?

No. But I know where it is; I saw them place it in a refrigerator while I was filling out releases. There’s no lock and―

Hold it, Dani. You want to break into this guy’s office and steal an IV bag?

I never said break in, and technically it’s not stealing since Dad paid for it. I called the clinic an hour ago and said I needed to stop by tonight and pick up some info about the protocol to show the hospital administrator. There’s only one nurse on duty at night. While you ask a million questions about the treatment, I’ll excuse myself to use the bathroom―all I’ll need is two minutes, tops.

David shook his head. This is crazy.

"No, little brother―crazy is what you did when you tried to save Bela and Lizzy. This is an attempt to save our

mother’s life. Maybe it’s a long shot, but it’s the only shot she has."

Take it easy … I didn’t say I wouldn’t do it.

West Boca Hospital

Boca Raton, Florida

Jonas stared at the latest CT scan of his wife’s right lung while Dr. Calvert pointed out several large masses. What we had hoped was merely pneumonia is the spreading cancer. I’m so sorry.

She powered off the screen and removed a sheet of paper from a manila folder. This is an order instructing our staff to either resuscitate or do not resuscitate.

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