The Thread Between Danny and Me

Chapter 20: You got your wish

Our mom was fine. Physically, at least. But emotionally, she was devastated.

When my parents finally got home, they sat Hector and me down and explained what the doctor discovered.

First, my mother told us we had a brother. And our brother had a condition called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, or HLHS for short. It's a complex critical congenital birth defect where the bottom chamber on the left side of the heart fails to develop. This meant without multiple surgeries, he'd die.

"Your brother is safe in here," my mom said as she held her stomach. Tears dripped off her cheeks as she snuffled. "But when he's born, he'll need immediate heart surgery. And then, when he's four months old, he'll need another surgery. And then, when he's three, he'll need another surgery. And that's if everything goes well. They said other complications are common."

Our brother would be in and out of the hospital a lot and would have long recovery times after his surgeries.

"No hospital near us is equipped for this complicated condition," my mom explained. "He'll have to be born at the Boston Children's Hospital. And that's where he'll have to get his surgeries."

"That's a long way from here," I said softly.

"Yes, Princesa. It is."

I waited for her to tell us what I already knew.

My mom inhaled. "When your brother comes home from the hospital, he'll need expert medical care. If something went wrong here, he'd have to be airlifted to Children's in Boston. I think...if we can...it would be best for our family to move closer to the hospital."

I nodded, then glanced at Hector. He also nodded.

She sighed. "I'm so sorry, you two. I know that's going to be so hard. But I want our family to stay together. I want you to come and see your brother at the hospital whenever you want. If you're over three hours away, you can't. And then I'd never see you. And," her lip trembled, "I can't stand the idea of that."

I looked at my dad's face as he sat next to my mother. He looked so...dazed. It reminded me of the days after 9/11. I wondered what he was thinking.

My mom started crying again. "They don't know what causes HLHS. You two are perfectly healthy. It's not like birth defects run in our extended family. I don't know. I'm just...my poor child. My poor, poor child."

I got up and hugged my mother as she sobbed. Hector did the same.

"When are we moving?" I asked after she calmed.

"Not until June. They will probably induce a week early since that's better for the first surgery. So, we'll have you finish school and then move down immediately after."

I thought about everything I'd need to get ready before finals so I wouldn't have to concentrate on packing and studying at the same time.

"I'll move down to our new house at the end of May in case I go into labor early," Mom said.

I nodded. It seemed my parents had talked in great detail about the plan before they got home. Everything was shifting so fast.

"What will you do?" I asked my dad.

"I'll see if I can sell the business," he replied. "If not, I'll close it down and maybe reopen it somewhere near our new house."

"I see."

My mom looked at my brother. "What do you think, Hector? You can be honest."

Hector shrugged. "I'll miss my friends but it's fine."

My mom gazed at us. "You two are being so mature about this. I thought you'd be more upset."

I patted her hand but said nothing.