Henry paced the corridors of the hospital, trying not to think.
It wasn't working.
I should be in there…
The thought kept coming back, but he just couldn't bring himself to go into the room and face Shawn.
Not right now.
He had been there when he had shaved his head.
He had been there for all the blood and bone marrow tests. He had even gotten the tests himself to see if he was a match. But seeing Shawn in the hospital bed, a needle in his arm…and that poison slowly drip, drip, dripping into his bloodstream…
That was more than he could do.
I should be in there…
Henry was so lost in his thoughts that he almost walked right past Dr. Hastings.
He would have, if the doctor hadn't stopped him.
"Mr. Spencer, we have to talk."
Henry stopped and leaned against the wall, still in an almost daze-like state.
"What is it?"
"Does Shawn have any siblings?"
Henry's heart began to pound faster.
"No. Why?"
"You're marrow test results just came back…"
He didn't have to be told the rest.
"It's not a match."
"No. I'm sorry. Is there anyone else closely related we could test?"
Henry shook his head slowly.
"No…just his mother, but she hasn't been around in years."
"Do you know where she is?"
"I don't know. I haven't spoken to her…"
"Mr. Spencer," Dr. Hastings' voice was suddenly very grave, "Shawn needs a bone marrow transplant. Soon. Now. The chemo is working, but it's only a stopgap. If she is the closest living relative, she needs to come in for a test as soon as possible."
Henry nodded stiffly.
"I have her number at home. Somewhere…"
At least it was an excuse to go home and not see Shawn again…
He left the hospital quickly. It didn't take him long to find the scrap of paper with Melanie's number on it.
Please don't have a new number…
The phone continued to ring on the other end until the voice mail finally came on.
Hi. It's Mel. Leave a message.
Beep.
Henry hesitated.
What was he supposed to say?
"Hey, Mel. It's Henry…call me as soon as you get this. It's about Shawn…"