The Recipient Read Free

have to come to peace with it in her own time.
    As if on cue to this very observation, Edie’s shoulders relaxed. She turned to her husband. Her eyes were red. Her features lined with exhaustion. She was still beautiful.
    She came and sat. She leaned against him and rested her head on his shoulder.
    Smiling, Peter noticed that she was holding a photo of Casey as he took her hand.
    Edie gazed down on a photo of her daughter—an image from her Asian holiday. With the sun setting off to her left, Casey’s eyes were focused on the photographer. Worldly, youthful, inquisitive—they were Casey’s strongest features, her most beautiful. There was comfort in those eyes.
    â€œIndestructible,” Peter mused, his voice filled with emotion.
    For the first time since they’d arrived, Edie managed a wistful smile. “She always grabbed the world with both hands.”
    â€œShe will again,” Peter replied. “I know it.”
    Edie craned her neck to look up at her husband.
    â€œWill she?” she questioned. Her eyes were plagued by doubt. “Will she really, Peter?”
    Her question caught him off guard and he studied her for a long moment. It was as if she resented his faith in their daughter.
    â€œYou’re not sure?”
    â€œI don’t know,” she responded. “There’s so much that can go wrong—so much that she has to contend with.” Edie’s voice faltered. There were no guarantees. She had read the literature. Not only was the transplant surgery itself not without risk but risk would remain for the rest of Casey’s life. Casey would not be able to live the kind of life she had lived before.
    The door to the waiting room clicked open and Peter and Edie looked up to see a man dressed in green scrubs and a theatre cap step inside quietly. He was tall, with tanned skin and a kind, handsome face. Dark sideburns were visible, poking out from the edge of the theatre cap. This was one of Casey’s surgeons, Dr. Francis Arlo. Both of them stood anxiously as he nodded in greeting.
    â€œHow are you both?” he said softly.
    â€œGood, Doctor, we’re good,” Peter said hurriedly, his eyes searching Arlo’s face for an immediate indication of what was happening.
    The surgeon placed his hand on Peter’s shoulder and gestured for them to sit as he sat down beside them.
    â€œWe’ve finished the surgery,” Arlo said, a weary but victorious smile spreading across his face. “She made it through. Casey has a brand new heart.”
    Edie gasped as an involuntary squeak caught at the back of her throat and she whipped up her hand to cover her mouth. Her emotions spilled forth all at once.
    Peter put his arm around her and held her close. He reached out to Arlo with his free hand and squeezed his shoulder, his gesture filled with gratitude.
    â€œWhen can we see her?” Peter asked raggedly.
    â€œFedele is just closing up now. In a few minutes we’ll wheel her through into the recovery suite. She will have a breathing tube in place and she’ll still be asleep, but I’ll make sure you get a few moments with her. Okay?”
    Peter nodded while Edie took a tissue from inside her bag and wiped her eyes.
    Arlo took his cue and stood. He turned to leave when Edie looked up suddenly.
    â€œDoctor…” she called after him, her voice shaking.
    Arlo turned and regarded her warmly.
    â€œWhat about her donor? What will happen to the…”
    Her voice trailed off as she suddenly felt self-conscious at having asked the question.
    Arlo nodded with not a trace of scorn or disapproval.
    â€œThe donor will be cared for, then released back to the family. They will all be looked after.”
    He turned from them once more.
    â€œPlease,” Edie said, “Thank them.”
    Pausing at the exit, Arlo smiled.
    â€œI will.”
    ___
    A theatre nurse led Peter and Edie towards a large bay, occupied by several