I still remember the nephrologist’s office like a photograph burned into my brain. Posters of kidneys on the wall. A plastic model on the desk. Daniel tapping his foot so fast the chair squeaked.
The doctor didn’t waste time.
“Your kidneys are failing,” he said calmly. “And it’s progressing quickly.”
I felt like the air disappeared from the room.
“What happens now?” I asked.
“Dialysis,” he said. “Or a transplant.”
The word hit me like a brick.
“Transplant?” I repeated.
He nodded.
“Sometimes spouses are compatible donors.”
I didn’t even look at Daniel.
“I’ll do it,” I said.
Daniel turned to me immediately.
“Grace, no. We don’t even know if you’re a match—”
“Then test me,” I said.
And they did.
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