“Sure. Hang on a minute.” Nate recognized the name. Shayna spoke often of her respect for Zac’s pediatric oncologist. He sat up in the bed and switched the phone to his other ear, his senses piqued to full alert. “Is Zac OK? Shayna told me he has an appointment with you today.”
“Yes, that’s right. Zac’s due to be admitted in just a few hours for a battery of tests.”
“And Shayna? Is she OK?”
“As far as I know. She phoned to confirm the appointment.” Dr. Garrison paused. “I need to speak to you privately, Mr. Saylor—”
“Nate.” He pushed blankets back and slipped from the bed. Shuffling across the cold, wood floor, he double-timed it to the kitchen, speaking as he went. “What do you need to talk about? Is this about Zac?”
“Yes. Nate, I’m not really sure how to say this. The situation is so unique, that even I am at a loss as to how to handle it.”
“I don’t understand.”
“You see…we’ve located a donor for Zac—an individual who’s as close to a perfect match as someone who’s not a blood relative can possibly be.”
“That’s great…wonderful. Shayna’s surely thrilled beyond words.”
“Shayna doesn’t know yet, Nate.” Dr. Garrison drew a single, deep breath. “She doesn’t know I’ve called you.”
“I’m confused. Shouldn’t she be the first one to know? Why are you telling me before you’ve even spoken to her?”
“Because I had to confirm with you first. We got a call from the National Donor Registry, and you’ll play a very big part in this, Nate—a crucial part.”
“Oh, man…” A light suddenly dawned, and the room began to swim. Nate sank into a chair at the table and doubled over. “Do you mean…?”
“Yes, Nate.” Dr. Garrison lowered his voice. “You’re Zac’s match. You’re the one he’s been waiting for.”
“But it’s impossible—Shayna said the chance of anyone unrelated matching is one in ten-to-twenty thousand, and I just joined the registry a few weeks ago. How can it possibly be?”
“Miracles happen, Nate, and I’d call this the best kind of miracle.”
“Are you sure…about me being the best match for Zac?”
“I’d like to run another test, just to confirm.”
“When are you going to tell Shayna?”
“That’s up to you.”
“What do you mean?”
“Provided our follow-up tests validate the match, are you prepared to go through with this…to really go through with the transplant?”
“Of course I am.” Nate shook his head, and the room began to clear. “How could I not?”
“Your career. Before we can harvest the cells you’ll have to take a round of medication to boost the production. Then there’s the harvesting procedure itself, and afterwards it takes a measure of time to heal and for the cells to build back up in your system. You’ll feel a bit off and will have to miss some workouts.”
“Workouts can wait. Zac is way more important.” He was emphatic. “It’s not even an issue. When can we start?”
“We have much to discuss, and very limited time. Zac’s condition is quickly declining, and we’ll need at least a month to get him ready for the transplant.”
“I understand.” Nate’s heart skipped one beat, two. “Do you need tell Shayna I’m the donor? I don’t want to add to her worry, and I know she’ll be concerned about me.”
“I’ll leave that up to you. It’s standard procedure not to divulge the name of the donor, but I don’t know how you’ll keep it from her, seeing as you two are friends.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Well, you’d better think fast.”
“I don’t want the press to know, at least not until later on.” Nate emphasized the words. “They’d have a field day with this, and Shayna doesn’t need the added stress. Can you at least promise me that?”
“I’ll do my best, Nate. That’s all I can promise.” Papers rustled through the phone line, and Nate imagined the doctor was already beginning to fill a file on him. “How long will it take you to get here?” Dr. Garrison paused once more. “I’d like you to come this morning, Nate—now, if possible. It’s imperative to run a test to confirm and have all my ducks in a row before I speak with Shayna.”
Ducks in a row…
“Give me half an hour.” Nate rose from the table. Coffee would have to wait. “I’ll be right over.”
“Come directly to my office.”
“I’ll find you.” Nate disconnected
and quickly backtracked to the bathroom.
****
Shayna rested in a chair at Zac’s bedside. He’d done little more than sleep all of yesterday; she’d barely gotten him to eat. A glance at her watch told her they had only a few hours until Zac’s appointment with Dr. Garrison. Given Zac’s lethargic condition, his blood count was probably way off. He’d spend more than a few days in the hospital once again; she was sure of it.
So, her son had a couple more precious hours in his own bed until he was once more given up to nurses and needles and a stark, sterile hospital room.
The thought brought tears to Shayna’s eyes, and suddenly she wished Nate was there with her. He’d called her several times yesterday evening, and had offered come by with dinner, but she’d declined. She needed this time to immerse herself in the Word, and to put on the armor she knew she’d need to get through the next phase of this battle. She’d prayed through the night that a donor would be found. Surely the registry would locate one soon. If only she—or her mom—was a match. But, for reasons she couldn’t fathom, it just wasn’t meant to be.
Help me, Lord. Help Zac. Please send him a donor soon.
Her son stirred in the bed, and Shayna went to him, placing a hand on his forehead to comfort him. She thought of the way Nate had held him Saturday while they were at the pond, and the memory brought a measure of comfort to her wounded heart. He’d been so tender, so very caring in both his gentle touch and heartfelt words.
“Together, we’ll find a way, Shayna,”
he’d murmured as she broke down and sobbed.
“We’ll get through this somehow. Trust me.”
Shayna dried her tears. She
did
trust Nate. How had she ever believed the awful stories the press reported about him? She chastised herself for getting sucked into the toxic gossip before she even gave him a chance to share his true heart.
Shayna placed a kiss on Zac’s forehead before slipping away to take a quick shower. A glance at the clock told her Nate was most likely still sleeping soundly. He’d offered to meet her at the hospital later, and she was thankful for that.
Today promised to bring a new season, and she’d be ready to tackle it, no matter what.
10
“I’m sorry, Shayna.” Nate reached for her hand as he spoke.
“What’s going on?” Her fingers trembled, and she struggled to make sense of why Nate was here…in Dr. Garrison’s office, staring at her with such an odd expression on his face. She wondered why they’d closed the door and spoke in hushed voices. Her heart was racing, her palms damp with nervous tension. Then, as she slumped into a chair, Nate’s blue eyes captured hers, and the tenderness nearly stole her breath. She choked back the lump in her throat.
Nate’s voice was gentle as he spoke again. “I promised you no more surprises, but this one is out of my hands.”
“I don’t understand.” Her eyes filled with tears, and she reached for a tissue from the dispenser on the desk, sniffling. “How bad is it? Just tell me, please.”
“It’s not bad, Shay. It’s good…really, really good.” Nate came around and knelt at her feet. He placed one hand on her knee and brushed a tear from her cheek with his other. “Dr. Garrison has located a donor for Zac.”
“Oh, Nate.” Relief, coupled with disbelief, flooded her. She covered her trembling lips as tears spilled over. She could hardly speak. “Where? Who…how?”
“Shayna, listen to me.” Dr. Garrison’s voice drifted across the room, sounding as if he stood miles away. Shayna’s head began to swim, and she felt as if she were being drawn into a tunnel. They’d found a donor. Her prayers had been answered. “Nate is Zac’s donor.”
Time paused for the slightest moment, a gasp just before the deep inhale. Had she heard right?
“Shayna, honey, stay with us,” Nate coaxed, placing a hand on each of her shoulders. “Please, breathe.”
“It can’t be.” Shayna’s skin tingled, and a rush of shivers racked her as the room began to sway. She wrapped her arms around herself, rocking forward in the chair. “Are you sure?”
“We ran a second battery of tests this morning to confirm.” Though merely a few feet away, Dr. Garrison’s face refused to come into focus. A freight train rushed through Shayna’s ears, making it difficult to make out his next words.
“They’re almost a perfect match, Shayna—as perfect as two unrelated people can be. Nate’s an answer to our prayers—in more ways than one.”
“Oh, God…” When Shayna slipped from the chair, Nate caught her. He gathered her in and she pressed her cheek to the warmth of his T-shirt as her shock gave way to sobs. “I don’t believe it. I can’t…Thank You, God.” Tears swam in her eyes, turning the room to a pool of water. “Oh, thank You.”
“We’ll have to begin preparing Zac right away. It’s going to be hard, Shayna. We need at least thirty days to bring him to day zero—transplant day.” Dr. Garrison stood and eased around the desk, closer to her. “There’s a lot to do, and it won’t be easy on Nate, either.”
“I hadn’t thought…” Shayna lifted her head to gaze into Nate’s tender, blue eyes. “Oh, Nate, are you sure about this?”
“Yes.” He nodded, smoothing a strand of hair from her damp cheek. “It’s the greatest gift I’ve ever been given—the ability to do this for Zac.”
“But it’s not a gift…at least not for you.”
“Oh, it is, Shay.” He stroked her cheek gently. “More than you know.”
****
Nate found a quiet place down the hall to dial a quick call to Stan. He made short work of bringing his friend up to speed.
“It’s a miracle, Stan.”
“I get that, but do you fully understand the ramifications of this decision, Nate?”
“I do. I’ve been through all the details with Dr. Garrison, and he’s told me what to expect. I’m fully aware of all the possible complications, and I’m in agreement with pressing forward.”
“And you think you can still be ready for training camp?”
“I’ll be there.”
“What if there are lingering effects?”
“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it—
if
we come to it.”
“And you don’t want the press to know?”
“You heard me the first time. This needs to be kept on the down low.”
“I’ve got it covered.”
“I’m counting on you, Stan.”
He rustled some papers. “Oh, by the way, I got word just an hour ago that all charges against you have been dropped. The girl came forward—the one you were trying to protect that night outside the restaurant—and she gave a full statement to the police. Believe it or not, now you’re a hero.”
“I couldn’t let that guy get away with harassing her the way he was. The poor girl was just trying to make a living.”
“Why didn’t you tell me that in the first place?” Stan groaned in a manner that had become familiar over the years. “It would have made things a lot easier.”
“As I recall, I tried. You weren’t in much of a listening mood.”
“Well, I stand corrected. The oaf who was harassing her has been banned from the restaurant, and the girl issued a statement to the
Tennessee Today
newspaper and all the local stations.”
“Good. So, you need to keep the press off my tail for a while. They’ll all want a piece of the action. Just issue a statement for me if it’s necessary, Stan. I don’t want to talk to any reporters—not now.”
“I’ve already taken care of it. Check out the five o’clock news, and you’ll hear the statement.”
“No need. I trust you to handle things.” He paced the hall, anxious to get back to Shayna. “Thanks for everything, Stan, but I’ve got to go.”
“The kid waiting for you?”
“Yeah, and his mom, too.”
“I’m glad, Nate.” Stan sighed. “You know, my friend, if I’d tried to write a book about this, no one would ever believe it. But I have to say, this transformation in you is the most amazing miracle of all.”
“And I have you to thank for it, Stan. If you hadn’t insisted on me contacting the Moments for Miracles foundation—”
“It wasn’t my doing, Nate. I believe God had a plan.”
11
Things moved quickly. To Nate, the days that followed seemed like a blur. Zac spent his time in intensive treatment, just as Dr. Garrison explained. But even the briefing could not prepare them for what was to come. Shayna remained vigilant, hesitant to leave Zac’s side for more than a few minutes at a time.
Nate stayed with her. Shayna’s inner strength was an inspiration to him. Rarely did she let down her guard, and the few times she did give in to grief didn’t last long at all. Truth be told, Nate teared up more than she did. But he was careful not to let Shayna see. He knew his worry and grief would become hers, as well.
One evening Shayna’s mom dropped by after work. She took one look at Shayna and said, “Take my daughter out for a decent meal and some fresh air, Nate, and don’t come back until her belly is full and her hands have quit trembling.”
“I’m not going anywhere, Mom,” Shayna protested.
“Yes, you are.” Her mother’s gaze was steely. “That’s an order. I’ll stay with Zac. You can trust me, Shayna. I raised you, didn’t I?”
Speechless, Shayna only nodded. Nate took her by the hand and led her down the hall to the elevators. She turned back once, and he thought he was going to lose her. But he squeezed her hand and wrapped his arm protectively around her shoulders as they headed to the parking garage.
“Do you mind if we just walk?” she asked as darkness engulfed them. “I’d like a bit of fresh air.”
“Only if it leads to a restaurant, and you promise to eat. You won’t do Zac any good if you get sick and can’t be with him at all.”
His tactic seemed to work. Shayna nodded stiffly. “You’re right.”