"Mrs. Holton, the test shows that your left kidney has shut down and your right is functioning at 10%. You're in complete kidney failure," Emily informed her.
"What?" said the daughter, Emily.
"How did this happen?" asked the husband.
"Your wife's diabetes I certainly a factor but we don't think that's the only cause," said Will, "Stress and ketones can be a factor as well."
"We just moved here from South Carolina. Could that have caused all the stress?" asked Claudia, "You'd think I'd be used to it by now. Twenty-two years of it."
"That could definitely be a cause for stress," said Emily.
"What now?" asked the husband.
"Now we begin hemodialysis three times a week," said Will.
"And as soon as Mrs. Holton is stronger, transplant is certainly an option," said Emily.
"Can't her kidneys get better on their own?" asked the other Emily.
"I'm afraid not. The damage is irreversible," said Emily.
"Can we be tested for a donor?" asked the husband.
"Of course Mr. Holton," said Will.
"General Holton," he said.
"General Holton," Will corrected himself, "We'll run it by the staff doctor."
"And test me too," said Emily.
"Em, you're not doing this," said Claudia.
"Mom I'm not going to sit here and watch your life get taken away from you and not do something about it. It's only a blood test anyway. And I don't need your permission."
"Um how old are you?" asked Emily.
"Eighteen," she responded.
Emily nodded towards Emily's parents, "Legally the decision is hers."
"I know, I'm a lawyer," huffed Claudia, "Fine do the test. Just be careful with my baby girl."
"Of course," said Will.
Later that night…
"Rough day?" asked Micah as they arrived at the steakhouse.
"Well, Will and I took a patient's life away by having to put her on dialysis," said Emily.
"Question answered," laughed Micah as he and Emily took their seats.
"Well the whole purpose of tonight's discussion wasn't that," said Emily softly.
"I know," he replied.
"Micah, you can't turn down that job. You'll be working with world renowned doctors. I don't want you to stay here and regret it," reasoned Emily.
"But what if I want to stay," said Micah, "I mean everyone I love and care for is here. The Broncos, AJ, my colleagues, my Mom, my sister, you," he listed.
"Yeah I forgot about your Mom," said Emily, "I'm just trying not to be selfish, but nothing would make me happier than if you stayed here in Denver."
"I still have six months to decide. And Baltimore would be great. But there would be nothing to keep me there. Nothing special anyways," said Micah taking Emily's hand, "Besides I can't leave my Mom. Not until something happens. One way or another."
"Don't think about that Micah. Your Mom's going to be fine," said Emily, "But I understand your reasoning."
"Hey you and her are the two most important girls in my life," smiled Micah, "But when this whole cancer thing is over, I have a suggestion about Maryland."
"What?" asked Emily.
"Come with me."
What will happen next? Let me know what you think!