Standing Still - Thirty-three
It comes as no surprise to me when the results come back and I'm not a match for Ana. My parents get tested, Ana's dad, my siblings, Kate and Ethan but no one is a good enough match. Ana's friends, our colleagues and staff all get tested but still nothing close comes up.
GHL start a website to encourage donors but I fear it's a big ask for someone to part with a kidney for a stranger. I talk to Ana about buying one, but she's so outraged I decide not to pursue it, for now anyway.
"What about Carla?" I ask a few days later. Ana's mother a blood relative it sure to be a match I think, surprised it's taken me this long to think of her.
"She won't do it," says Ana plaintively.
"She's your mother, you're her daughter of course she will."
"Christian, think about it. My mother come here, she didn't come when I was comatose why would she come now."
"I'll call her and she'll come," I say with certainty.
Ana only shakes her shoulders and lays back down on her bed. I wait until she's asleep then sneak out of her room to call Carla.
There's a nine hour time difference so I quickly work out the time in Italy before I dial. It's ten here so I work out it's seven in the morning where Carla is. It's early but I don't really care too much about waking her up, Ana needs her mother.
It rings and rings and eventually I hear her tired voice ask who's calling at this hour.
"Hello, it's Christian. Christian Grey," I announce.
"Christian do you know what time it is," she asks with irritation.
"Yes it's about time you woke up, drove to your doctors office and get a blood test," I snap back.
"What," she asks with confusion.
"Look Ana, your daughter, your only child is very sick. She needs a kidney transplant and we're all out of options. I'm asking if you'll get tested."
The line goes quiet and I wait impatiently for her voice to return.
"Hello are you still there," I ask after forty-five seconds.
"How sick is she," she finally asks.
I shake my head at her question, Grace would never of asked it she would of been off to get tested before I finished telling her.
"Very sick, look without a donor soon she won't make it," I tell her bluntly.
"Okay I'll get tested, tell her I'm getting tested and that I hope she gets better soon."
"Why don't you tell her yourself, she'd love to hear from you. You never call her anymore and I'm sure she misses you."
"No that's fine I have to go a book an appointment with my doctor. Keep me posted."
The line goes dead and I'm at a loss to explain her behaviour. Some mother she is, it's a wonder Ana became the devoted and loving mother I know she is. I guess some people just shouldn't have kids, I sigh shake my head then slowly return to my wife.
I fail to tell Ana about my phone call not wanting to give her false hope, in case Carla's not a match.
Then a week later I'm called into Ana's doctors office and immediately I'm concerned that Ana got worse. He tells me that they have a match and I so amazed I'm speechless for the first time in my life.
I'm even more amazed when I learn that it's Carla that's the match. Ana's mother has finally come through for her daughter and I can't stop myself from smiling.
"There is a problem though," says the doctor abruptly ending my joy.
"What?"
"The potential donor won't undergo the surgery."
"What?" I repeat.
"Yes I've talked to her myself and she's adamant she won't go through with it."
"She bloody well will," I snap back.
The doctor looks a bit taken aback then pushes his phone in my direction and leaves the room. I pull my own from my pocket and dial her number not even bothering to check the time this time.
It rings and rings and I realise it's almost midnight in Italy. She picks up eventually and snaps at me.
"For Gods sake it's midnight what the hells going on."
"It's me again. What the fuck, you wont give her your kidney."
"Christian," she asks puzzled.
"Yes it's me and I'm mad as hell. Get on a plane fly to Seattle and give your daughter what she needs. How fucking difficult is it," I shout back.
"Christian it's late, I don't what to discuss this now."
"Too bad because we will."
"Fine it's a big ask, I doubted I would be a match and I'm not able to do this now."
"Well too bad because you are doing it and if I have to fetch you myself you are giving Ana that kidney."
The line goes dead and I snap, throwing some things from the desk and punching my hand through the paper thin wall. I'm so angry I can barley see straight, how could she do this to Ana.
I stew for a while then an idea hits me and I call her back. Amazingly it's picked up on the second ring and I pose the one question that I know will persuade her.
"How much do you want?"