Author's note... Special thanks to author Marie S. Zachary for providing the inspiration for this story...
Natalie stared at the doctor in shock, unable to believe what she was hearing. She could hear Julie starting to sniffle, but didn't dare look over. To see her daughter's expression would send her over the edge, and right now she needed all the strength she could muster.
"Mrs. Teeger?" The doctor was saying. She hated being called a Mrs., when clearly she'd been single for a long time, but she wasn't in the mood to correct him. "Mrs. Teeger?" he said again. "Do you understand what I've just told you?"
Natalie swallowed hard and answered in a trembling voice. "Y-yes."
The doctor's expression remained serious. "Julie has a rare blood disease called HES, or what's known as Hypereosinophilic Syndrome."
Tears slid down Natalie's cheeks and she could only nod. Instinctively she reached for her daughter's hand, gripping it tightly. "I-I understand." She said, although she didn't.
The doctor removed his glasses, squinting as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. She saw him glance at his clipboard that contained Julie's chart. "There are a number of things we can do but we need to act fast. This disease is very aggressive if not treated."
"Anything. I'll do anything. Julie is my life." Natalie said, smiling at her daughter.
"I'm sure she is, Mrs. Teeger." The doctor said.
Natalie sighed with annoyance. She hated when doctors acted like they cared about people. "Just tell me what I need to do."
"Well the best option would be a blood transfusion, but the donated blood would have to match perfectly. It's essential for Julie's survival."
Natalie reluctantly ignored the gasp she heard coming from Julie and looked at the doctor in disbelief. "Survival? You mean..."
"I'm afraid so, Mrs. Teeger. Without a transfusion the chances of survival are marginal at best."
Natalie reached into her purse and pulled out a pen. "I'll do it. Where do I need to sign?"
"Not so fast, Mrs. Teeger." The doctor said. "First we'll need to do a blood test to determine if you're a match."
"What? Of course I'm a match! I'm her mother!"
"We still need a blood test. I'll send the nurse in to set this up for you and Julie."
"When will you have the results?"
"I'll have them to you in about an hour."
Natalie's spirits rose slightly. Usually blood test results took days.
"Really?" she asked, realizing how stupid she sounded. "I mean, it's just that-"
"I'll have it expedited considering the seriousness of the case." The doctor said, deflating Natalie's sprits once more. Quietly he stood and picked up his clipboard, and closed the door behind him.
(Two hours later)
Grim faced, the doctor returned to the room. "So when do we get started?" Natalie asked. "Julie is finishing up high school and we'll need to start looking at colleges so I want to have this transfusion done as quickly as possible."
"I'm afraid it's not that simple, Mrs. Teeger." The doctor said. "I have some unfortunate news."
"What is it, Doctor?" Julie asked, squeezing her mother's hand.
"Well Julie, your blood type is AB which is extremely rare." Then glancing at Natalie he said "Mrs. Teeger, your blood type is Type O, which unfortunately is not a good match."
"So we'll find a donor." Natalie said. "Call the San Francisco blood banks. I know there are at least ten in the area."
"Well, unfortunately, there is a shortage of Julie's blood type in San Francisco. Actually in the entire United States." The doctor said matter-of factly.
"Then call another country. Call Mexico! Call Canada! Call Iceland if you have to, just-"
"Mom..." Julie said, putting a hand on Natalie's shoulder.
"So what can we do?" Julie asked the doctor.
"The best thing would be to find a family member with the same type of blood; preferably a parent. Why don't you have your father come in and take a blood test?"
Natalie and Julie exchanged glances.
"My father is dead." Julie pointed out.
"I'm sorry to hear that." The doctor said. "Well, Julie, we'll schedule another appointment for you soon." Have a nice day, Mrs. Teeger." He said as stood at the open door. It was nice seeing you again."
"You too." Natalie said after the doctor left. "Jerk."
"Mom!" Julie said in amazement.
"Why do doctors think they know everything?" Natalie asked. "I should report him for his insincerity!"
"Don't worry, Mom. Everything is going to be f-fine." At the last word, Julie's voice broke and she began to sob. Natalie was beside her in an instant, holding her close.
"I-I don't want to die!" Julie said, sobbing into her mother's shoulder.
A spark of anger prompted Natalie to grab Julie by the shoulders and shake her gently.
"Julie Marie Teeger, I don't want to hear that kind of talk from you! You're going to be fine. I know it." At Julie's shocked expression Natalie held her close again. "I'm not going to lose you."