So Much More (Book One in the Enough Series)

51. Time

Eden

After spending such a fantastic evening with Reed, I decided I had to tell him I was willing to be a donor for Lizzie. I realized how ridiculous I was being in thinking that he wouldn't realize I was doing it out of the goodness of my heart. I knew him well enough to know he would never believe the worst of me, and I had to trust that. First, I had to spend a few hours at the convention; then, I was hoping to get a moment alone with him before he headed back into the city to prepare for his game.

I had just finished the morning session at the convention center, where I made a few good connections for the book store. I was taking a quick break and heading to the restroom when my phone began going off like crazy. It was vibrating all around my bag, seemingly not stopping. When I finally found it at the bottom of my bag, I saw it was Glenn calling. I knew I shouldn't have been avoiding him, but I had no desire to hear his hateful tones, and I had planned to never speak to either of them again once this donation was complete.

Sighing as I found an empty corner, I unlocked the screen and accepted the incoming call.

"Hello."

"Eden! It's about time! Jesus." He huffed.

"Sorry, I'm busy with work. I actually don't have long; what's up?" I fiddled with the hem of my shirt.

"Have you not spoken to the Doctor? The HLA compatibility is good, and it's time. We need to do this now. I've been trying to reach you to let you know we need you here. You know all the steps; we went over this. But, first, you have to be able to receive the injections," Glenn rambled.

"I know. I know how it all works, trust me." I interrupted him, standing and pacing the small area I was occupying.

Once we realized I was a match, we discussed how the procedure would go once it was time. We agreed I would travel to Kansas to a designated hospital for such operations. I'd stay for a week, taking the daily injections needed before the donation. Then, the donation. I would need to stay overnight in the hospital to be monitored and then stay nearby for a few days after. I had already cleared it with work, and Brynn offered to be with me if needed since Reed would be on the road for games. Although it was all planned out, and I had been okay with it, I couldn't help but feel incredibly nervous now that it was here.

"Dr. Simmons said their office tried to reach you to set all of this up, we're just waiting on you, and you've been ignoring all of us. Did you back out? Are you really going to let your Mother die?" He growled. My stomach churned with nerves and anger. I kept trying to remind myself he was scared and worried for June. I also had to remember that despite being biologically my parents, they weren't my parents, and I was only doing this as one human being to another. I refused to let them hold any power over me; this was my choice. Why did I feel so pressured, though?

"I'm traveling for work; I had planned to fly home on Sunday; I can fly there instead," I explained. Reed had tried to get me to stay longer since he had time off, but I wanted to get back to work and needed my routine. I felt bad enough that Mr. Shaffer was giving me so much time off for the donation that I hated to take any extra time. However, I did want to stay and see his game in Atlanta with his family.

"We need to start this immediately; June needs this now, Eden."

"If she's so bad off, will the donation even help?" I barked out, immediately feeling guilty. This was a life I was talking about, regardless of who she was.

"Dr. Simmons will contact you shortly." Glenn ended the call, leaving me feeling so many different emotions. I left the convention center, unable to focus on any other sessions I had planned to be in on. I wasn't quite ready to see Reed just yet, so I hopped in the rental car I was using and called Brynn.

"This is Brynn Parker." She answered so professionally that I almost laughed.

"Ms. Parker." I greeted.

"Eden? Shit. Sorry, I didn't even look at my phone before answering."

"I think I'm spiraling." I blurted out as I got comfortable in my seat.

"Uh oh. What's wrong?"

"Everything is ready for me to give my marrow; Glenn just called." The tears I had been fighting for the last several minutes finally began to spill out. I was full-on sobbing, trying to listen to my best friend.

"Why are you crying? This was all settled, I thought. What's going on? Do I need to fly out there? I will. I'll leave right now." Her feisty side came out strong, causing me to chuckle as I imagined her running through the airport.

"I'm just overwhelmed and a little scared, if I'm honest."

"What about Lizzie?" Brynn spoke carefully, as if she didn't want to upset me further.

"I haven't received the results yet, but she'll need to do aggressive chemo for a few months before it's even an option. I can donate again by then."

"Jesus."

"What?"

"Nothing. It's just; it's crazy, that's all." She sighed. I could hear her saying something to Tate in the background.

"I'm sorry, I'm interrupting."

"Shut up; you are you not. Tate's going out to a pub with some of the guys. I was only saying bye. I'm all yours, babe."

Before I could respond to her, an incoming call clicked. I pulled the phone away to see it was already Dr. Simmon's office calling. This was it. The ball was rolling already, and now it was heading downhill.

"Hang on, Brynn, I'll have to call you back."

"Ugh. Of course."

I smiled at her comment, switched the calls, took a deep breath, and prepared for the plan.

"Hello."

"Eden Gray?"

"Yes."

"Hi. This is Dr. Simmons; how are you?"

"I'm well, thank you. I hear we're ready to get this started?" I replied, ready to get down to business.

"Ah, yes. I see Glenn finally reached you. Yes, we are most certainly ready if you are. Do you have a date you can arrive to begin the filgrastim injections?" She asked politely.

"How soon do we need to do this? Glenn seemed adamant I needed to be there right away."

"Well, time is of the essence; the sooner, the better. So I want to start the last dose of chemo starting the day you begin injections that way, her body has time to rest before the transplant. So it should time out nicely that way." Dr. Simmons explained. "If you're able, we can start fresh on Monday morning. June can receive her last dose, and you can begin injections; we can transplant on Saturday, provided all goes well."

"Monday morning then, okay. Yes, I can be there Monday."

"Oh, I'm sorry I wasn't clear. We will start on Monday. I would need you in the office as soon as possible for your physical and overall exam. I assume you're not currently ill? Nothing has changed; at least I wasn't informed of anything."

"No, I'm fine. I'm healthy. I understand; I forgot about that. I suppose I'll be in Kansas tomorrow." I answered, doing my best to hold it together.