Someone Dies, Someone Lives by Lurlene McDaniel

Author:Lurlene McDaniel [McDaniel, Lurlene]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780307776327
Publisher: Random House Digital, Inc.
Published: 1992-01-01T08:00:00+00:00

Twelve

JOSH COULD HARDLY swallow around the knot that blocked his throat as he listened to the steady rhythm of Aaron’s heart. How wonderful it sounded! How strong and sturdy. For an instant, he felt suspended in time and space, caught between the present and the past. Aaron was truly alive in the body of Katie O’Roark. Overwhelmed, he felt a tear escape and trickle down his cheek. His eyes flew open when he felt Katie’s finger brush it tenderly.

Josh straightened. Unashamed, he gazed straight at her and saw that her own tears were wetting her cheeks. She dropped the end of the stethoscope and gently held his face between her palms. “Thank you, Josh Martel. Because of you … because of Aaron … I’m alive. I was almost dead, you know, when Aaron’s heart became available. Without it, I’d be in a grave right now. I’ve wondered so much about my donor. I prayed that I could one day meet the family. Did you know that?”

“No.”

“It’s true. My parents and I—we’re all so very, very grateful to you. I’ve wanted to know about my donor, but the hospital tells you so little. They act as if they want to keep it a secret, as if recipients shouldn’t know who their donor is. I wanted to know more than anything. Will you tell me about Aaron?”

Josh’s emotions churned, jumbled and wild. He had slipped into the hospital that afternoon only to catch another glimpse of Katie. He couldn’t help himself. He was drawn to her like a moth to a flame. When she’d struck up a conversation with him, he’d lost control of his role as an observer. At first, he couldn’t believe she hadn’t recognized him from the ICU, but when it became evident that she hadn’t, he’d allowed himself to be questioned by her.

When he’d given his name and she hadn’t responded to it, he’d realized that she honestly didn’t know how they were linked. When she’d reached over and touched him, it was as if they’d connected spiritually as well as physically. And then, when she’d let him listen to Aaron’s heart … “I would like to tell you about my brother … just not right now,” he said, clearing his throat.

“But you will tell me? You will come back?”

Josh knew there was no way on earth he could stay away. Not telling her about Aaron was tearing him up inside. He had to share his memories, and his feelings, with someone. “I’ll be back.”

“I know my mom and dad will want to meet you. Is that okay? I promise that my dad won’t do a column about you.”

Her joke made him smile. “I’d like to meet them,” he told her. He rose to leave. She took his hand, as if uncertain whether or not to let him go. The gesture touched him. “Can I come to your room next time? Or should I run the risk of ‘accidentally’ bumping into you in the visitors’ room?” he asked.

He watched her smile and decided she was beautiful.

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