Chapter Seven
"I hate you." Gordo doesn't raise his voice when he says these words but he doesn't whisper them either, it's completely obvious to both of his parents at this moment their son did hate them. "She's drying, right now as we speak she is lying in a hospital bed and she is dying and neither of you seem to give a damn."
"David, please stop over-exaggerating." Howard requests, he had flown into California and immediately came to see Gordo and Roberta in their home.
Gordo goes red with anger, "over-exaggerating? You think I'm over-exaggerating? Then you talk to Lizzie's parents..."
"They don't have an impartial view, the only thing they can see is that their daughter is sick." Howard adds.
"Then talk to her doctor," Gordo adds, "Dr. Grace told us today that if she doesn't get a transplant soon then she only has about 2 months left."
"From what I know about the transplant list process this will probably put her at the top of the list," Howard states, "she'll find someone else."
"You don't know that!" Gordo yells, "and if she dies it's all your fault!"
"Hi," Gordo sits down next to Lizzie on her bed.
"Hi," Lizzie whispers back.
"How are you feeling?" Gordo asks.
Lizzie closes her eyes and opens them again, "honestly?"
"Of course." Gordo responds entwining his fingers with Lizzie's.
"I feel terrible." Lizzie admits.
Gordo lifts Lizzie's hands to his lips and gently kisses her fingers, "I wish I could help."
"Gordo, I don't blame you, I want you to know that."
"Blame my parents." Gordo states letting his frustration out in a deep sigh, "their being unreasonable."
"They're looking out for what is best for you."
"I know what's best for me, and helping you is best for me."
"Gordo please don't make this a huge deal, I won't want you to be angry at your parents because of me." Lizzie gently requests.
Gordo stares at Lizzie, with his free hand he gently brushes his thumb across Lizzie's lip before placing a soft kiss on her lips. "You know I love you more than anything, right?"
Lizzie nods, "I know, I love you too. This will be all right, I know it will." Gordo wraps an arm around Lizzie and within minutes she asleep cuddled up against him and because of his own lack of sleep the night before Gordo falls asleep as well.
"Can I help you sir?" A cheerful nurse asks when Howard sets foot on the pediatric floor of the hospital.
"Yes," Howard nods, "actually I'm looking for my son, he should be visiting his girlfriend."
"Oh! You're must be Gordo's father!" The nurse exclaims cheerfully.
"You know my son?" Howard asks.
"Of course, everyone knows Lizzie and Gordo they are such a sweet couple. Whenenever Lizzie has to come in for dialysis Gordo was always with her, they're so sweet. Your son is truly wonderful, you raised him well."
The nurses words take Howard by surprise, he had known Lizzie was sick but he hadn't had any idea of how much Gordo had to do with taking care of her. "So do you know where he is?"
"Of course, he's in Lizzie's room, room 215." The nurse responds pointing in the direction of Lizzie's room.
Howard nods, "thank you."
"Oh," the nurse turns around to face Howard again, "they may be sleeping so you may want to be quiet going in, startling Lizzie isn't good for her."
Howard nods again, "thank you." Howard walks slowly down the hall taking in the bright murals painted on all of the walls and the cheerful nurses who smile or wave when they walk by. Reaching Lizzie's door Howard pushes it open and stops short when he sees Lizzie and Gordo wrapped up in each other asleep.
"Hi, Mr. Gordon." Lizzie is slowly waking up.
"I'm sorry Lizzie, I didn't mean to wake you." Howard softly responds.
Lizzie shakes her head, "it's okay, I'm glad you are here actually, I wanted to talk to you."
"You did?" Howard asks, unsure of what exactly it is Lizzie wants to say.
Lizzie nods, glancing at Gordo to make sure he is asleep Lizzie continues, "I just wanted to let you know that I don't blame you..."
"For not letting Gordo donate his kidney?" Howard asks.
Lizzie nods, "I understand, and my parents understand, why you are doing this. He's your only son and it's not a simple surgery."
"You're an amazing girl Lizzie," Howard states, "but I'm not willing to risk my son. I do hope for the best for you though."
Lizzie nods gently, "and I still have hope. They've moved me up on the list, and if it happens it happens and if it doesn't..." Lizzie lets her sentence trail, "I release what my chances of surviving are and if I do die I'm more concerned with how everyone here will take it. I'm worried about Gordo, but I know you and his Mom will be there for him, he'll be okay because he has family who loves him. But I just don't want him to feel guilty for not being able to save me, I wish that this hadn't even been brought up, because I know he blames himself."
Howard feels tears well up in his throat but he swallows against them, surprised at how his son's girlfriend's words have touched him, "is there anything I can do for you now Lizzie?"
Lizzie shakes her head, "I have everything I need right now, now just comes the waiting and spending as much time as possible with my family and friends."
"If you need anything you'll ask?" Howard asks.
Lizzie nods, "I will."
Howard nods, "I will let you get back to your nap, and thank you for this talk."
Lizzie shakes her head, "no, thank you."