John sat alone in his hospital room. It had been 2 weeks since he'd donated 2/3rds of his liver to a stranger. He was being released later today.
8 to 10 weeks of recovery would keep him in Nashville, probably alone in some cheap hotel. "Like it matters." He thought
"There's nothing and no one waiting in Natchez anyway." He sadly thought of his recently deceased parents, his failed marriage, the child he hadn't seen in over a year, and the job he'd lost.
He'd made a mess of his life. He blamed only himself.
He held a letter in his hand, still sealed in a pretty envelope with floral trim. He'd been putting off opening it since Dr. Rand had handed it to him 3 days ago.
Finally he couldn't stand it anymore. He carefully opened the envelope, and began reading a letter from the one and only Rayna Jaymes.
To: Our Christmas Angel 12/23/2014
I don't know your name, or where you're from. I'm not sure if we've ever met. I don't know why, or what prompted you to put your own life on hold to help my husband.
You've given me and my family the best Christmas gift ever this year. There is nothing in this world that could have made this Christmas any better than knowing we'll celebrate more Christmas's with Deacon.
Normally on this day each year I'm busy shopping, cooking, decorating, going to parties, or one of the many traditional routines we all seem to fall into each holiday season. It all seems so trivial after what my family has been through the past 6 months.
I can never thank you enough for what you've done. You'll never know how much your selfless act of kindness means to the entire Claybourne family.
Maybe you already know Deacon? If not, I'd like to tell you about him. He has become an amazing husband, father, and grandfather over the years. He has selflessly given more love and support to me and our children than I ever imagined possible.
I'm sure you know him as the country artist Deacon Claybourne, but that is only a small part of who he really is. He's loving, caring, smart, funny, talented, and he has proven over and over through the course of our life together that he would do anything for the people he cares about.
He's generous to a fault with fans, friends, family and anyone that needs help or simply requests his time and attention. Deacon is one of the most sensitive, forgiving, and compassionate people I have ever met.
You have no idea what an amazing man you've saved, but I hope one day you'll give us the chance to thank you in person. If there is ever anything you need, please don't hesitate to call me.
Thank you again from the bottom of my heart. You are a special, and wonderful person, and I will never be able to say that enough. You've given me more time with the love of my life.
I only wish you the same joy and happiness in your own life. Your family is lucky to have such an amazing person to love.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the entire Claybourne family. We love you and wish you well in the New Year.
Again if there is EVER anything you need, please call me. We hope to say thank you in person soon, but we understand and respect your wishes if you choose to remain anonymous.
Sincerely,
Rayna Jaymes Claybourne
615-555-7232
As John carefully folded the letter, placed it back in the envelope, and put it on his nightstand Dr. Rand came in with his release papers.
"Bet you're aching to get out of here and get on with your life, huh?" the doctor asked smiling
"Nah…there's really nothing, and no one waiting for me. I'm not really sure what I'll do or where I'll go next." John smiled as he took the clipboard and paperwork
"Don't forget your follow ups. I'll need to see you in 2 weeks. If you decide to leave town I can refer you to another doctor wherever you go to make sure you heal up OK."
"I'll most likely hang around Nashville till I'm good and healed."
"The Claybourne's really would like to thank you in person, and get to know you. They are a great family. You really should stop in to see them before you leave today. Room 214…just in case." Dr. Rand smiled as he took the clipboard back
"I dunno, Doc. My motives weren't exactly selfless. I'm not sure I want to bother them just yet. How is Deacon by the way? I bribed one of the nurses to tell me how he was. I know he had some complications after surgery." John flashed a smile
"Yeah…I know the nurses thought awfully highly of you. If you're in the market for a girlfriend I'm sure you'd have your pick." Dr. Rand laughed. It hadn't escaped him that John was a handsome, single man and the nurses had taken quite a liking to him over the past couple weeks.
"I've only been divorced about a year and a half. It didn't end well. It's gonna be a long time before I go down that road again." He tried to laugh, but the memories of his failed marriage were still pretty bitter
"Deacon is doing much better. Patient confidentiality …I can't be specific, but he did have an infection a few days after surgery. It was kinda touch and go for a little bit, but he's doing well now. Hopefully we'll be able to release him in the next few days."
"That's good to hear. I would like to contact them at some point. I just don't feel like now's the time."
"That's certainly your right. We'll never release any information about your identity. Good luck and thank you. Organ donation is an amazing gift. You've made a family very happy and given them more time with someone very special to them. Take care. See you in a couple weeks." Dr. Rand said as he shook John's hand and turned to leave
John sat contemplating visiting Deacon before leaving the hospital. He'd been trying to reach him for almost a year. The woman from the Bluebird had sworn she'd given Rayna his number and she'd call soon, but she hadn't ever called.
He knew they'd had a lot going on with Deacon's illness, and he'd read the tabloid and media buzz surrounding Maddie Claybourne Wheeler and her early delivery and baby complications so he understood that the Claybourne's year had been a rough one.
As much as he wanted to see Deacon, and now had the chance, he suddenly felt afraid and unsure if it was the best idea.
After some careful thought he decided to wait a little while. He'd be in Nashville for a couple more months recovering and coming to follow ups with Dr. Rand. He'd wait till Deacon was well and hope they might get some time together.
He programmed Rayna's number into his cell and slipped her letter into the side pocket of his bag, glanced around the room he'd spent the past two weeks in and quietly made his way down the hall to leave, having no idea where he might go next.
Rayna had gone home to take a shower and get some rest the night before. Deacon was back to himself, and not at all happy to still be cooped up in a hospital room. His patience was wearing thin as the days passed with no release date in sight.
He was trying to remain pleasant and thankful for his new life, but Rayna knew he was going stir crazy stuck in a hospital bed. He had good days, but there were times she just needed to leave and go home for a breather away from him and his temper.
They'd had a spat the night before over Deacon going back out on tour to finish the one he'd had to cancel. Rayna felt it was a bad idea. Deacon felt a commitment to his fans, and everyone that had put so much into a tour that had been cut short. He wanted to re-schedule some of the shows as a thank you for all the support he'd received.
They'd agreed to disagree for the time being, and she'd gone home for some much needed time away from the hospital, and the impatient patient, that was trying her nerves as he got stronger.
As promised, she was back the next morning. She'd stopped for Deacon's favorite coffee, and had the two cups in her hands as she approached the glass entry doors at Vanderbilt Hospital.
A handsome gentleman that reminded her of a younger Deacon held the door for her. They're eyes met. Not only did he have dark hair, the same build, and mannerisms as her husband she could have sworn she was looking into Deacon's bright blue eyes.
"Thank you." She stammered not able to break the contact
John knew instantly he was looking into Rayna Jaymes eyes.
"Anytime." He smiled and turned to go
"Wait….are you….this might sound crazy…..you're the donor, aren't you?" she asked not able to take her eyes off him. He was the spitting image of a younger Deacon.
"uuuhhmm…I'm kind of in a hurry. Have a good day ma'am!" he quickly turned to go, unsure of what to say. He'd been caught off guard and wasn't ready to discuss why he'd made the choice to be Deacon's donor. He needed more time to think about things.
"Wait…please? Who are….?"
"I really gotta go." He cut her off as he quickened his pace away from her, but not before she caught a glimpse of her floral stationary sticking out from the front pocket on his bag.
"My letter. It was him…" she thought
All Rayna could do was watch as he quickly disappeared into the parking lot. His walk and image from behind was even eerily similar to Deacon's