When it ends

Chapter 2

               The next few days went by in a blur. The doctor called finally. It was agonizing waiting to hear your fate. "Mac, I'm sorry but it looks like none of the people tested were a match." "None?" I asked. "I'm afraid not. But it's okay we still have options. If your grandmother wasn't a match it's likely your mom isn't either so I'd say the next best bet is to try your dad." He said reassuringly. "Okay, thank you doctor." "You're welcome I'll be in touch." He said. I hung up the phone in disbelief. I was going to die.

                 I hated this. I never wanted to know my father. I never asked about who he was and I never wanted to see him. He left me, he doesn't want me or Reba. So I had been perfectly fine never knowing him. But I needed a kidney so I was freaking going to see my dad. But this opened up a whole other can of worms. Now I'd have to confront him and ask him why he just left. You just did those things when you finally see your parents after a while. But I had honestly made peace with my parents leaving me. I wouldn't beg them to be in my life. But now I was having to confront him since I needed a kidney. Not that I was even sure he'd give me one, I mean he didn't care before why start now? But I was hoping he'd be all "Hey kiddo I sucked before, let me make it up to you, mi kidney is su kidney."

                 I texted my friends to meet me at Taco Joes so we could talk. When i got there they were all excited. "Guys i have a plan." I said. "We have a plan too." Rosie said bouncing in her seat. "Great, but before you tell me. I wanted you guys to know that you weren't a match neither was either of my grandparents or Reba." I said frowning. "Oh no, well that's why were going onto plan B." Said Carter. "Great let's hear it." I said smiling. "In one month, we are hosting a carnival." "A what?" I asked. "Well my mom, you know she's a nurse. She said if we host an event with games and food that we can set up a booth to test people. To see if there kidney is a match." Finished Rosie. "If your kidney is a match do you win a prize?" I asked. "Sure?" Rosie said smiling.

                "My dad is gonna donate and cook tons of burgers and hot dogs." Said Zyler, who's dad owned a restaurant. "And my dad's gonna help with the games. His whole construction crew is gonna get on it." Said Carter. "You guys, this is great!" I said. "Thank you, so what was your plan?" Asked Zyler. "The doctor said my dad is probably my best bet. So I'm going to see him. Only thing is. I don't know where he is. I called my mom but she hasn't returned my phone calls. She really never did before so I wasn't surprised. So I'm going to Nashville." I said.

               "I have my mom's address and if she won't tell me then she'll see me. I figure A. She knows where my dad is because she's talked to him. B. She hasn't spoken to him since he left but she knows his name and has a photo..." Carter held his hand up. "Wait a minute you've never even seen your dad? At all?" He asked. "No, I was to little when he left to remember him and my grandparents don't know anything because my mom never talked about him." I said. "Right, what if your mom won't tell you anything?" Asked Rosie. "Yea I'd considered that, I'm hoping I can snoop around her house then and see if I can find anything." I said. "And if all else fails give her the you were a terrible mom so give me what I seek speech." "Ah guilt at it's finest." I said.

              "So when do we leave?" Asked Carter. "We?" I asked. "Heck yea we, you don't think were gonna let you go on an adventure without us did you?" "Well, alright then. One last hoorah before we all go to college i like it." I said. "I'm going to go day after tomorrow that way I have time to get everything we need. Oh and, tell my grandparents." I said sheepishly.

                       "You haven't told them?" Zyler asked. "Well no." "Ah worried they'd say no." Zyler nodded. "No, I'm dying. I'm going to die if I don't do something." I said. "I guess they can't say no to that. Okay I've got an ice chest. I'll load it down with drinks." Carter said. "Great and I'll get the snacks." Said Rosie. "I'll get a few gas cards." Said Zyler. "I'll bring the car." I said. We talked about last minute details. How we'd pay for everything: Graduation money and savings. How long we'd be gone: well we couldn't answer that because we didn't know where my dad even was. What I was going to say: I'd figure that out when I got there. Well that's what I told them but honestly I knew I'd stress about it the whole way until I had to confront my mother.

                    When I got home I sat my grandparents down. "Look, I cannot just sit here and wait to die. At that point I should just plan my funeral." "Well, were doing everything we can to find you a donor." My grandpa said. "I appreciate that, but the doctor said my dad is my best match." I said. I saw pity in my grandmother's eyes. It was because she too didn't think he'd give me a kidney. And she was probably right after all my dad didn't care about me, so why should he care if I died.

               "But I have to do this." I said. "Well I'm not letting you go alone." My grandmother said. "Good, I'm not Rosie, Zyler and Carter are coming with me. Come on you know you're needed here." "But I have to do SOMETHING." She said dabbing at her eyes. My grandpaw just patted her knee gently. "I Know that, and you've done everything for me. You took me and Reba in and we couldn't be more grateful." I handed her a Kleenex.

                "Well fine I'm at least giving you money for hotel, food and gas." She said. To which later I found out everybody else's parents kicked in money as well. We talked more about it and even the rules. One room double bed I sleep with Rosie only. No doing anything stupid that could kill me. Even though I'm already dying. No talking to strangers. yada yada yada.