The guy looks up at me from where he’s bent grabbing something from the mini refrigerator. “He asked to work a different shift so we swapped.”
“Oh.”
I shouldn’t be offended, and yet I am. He’s so mad at me he can’t even work the same shift as me. I’m probably going to end up getting fired.
This is great.
Anger bubbles up inside me. I can’t help but be mad. It’s not like I asked for any of this to happen to me. I never wanted my body to fail me or to need someone else’s kidney to survive, so why am I being punished for something I can’t control?
Surely, he must understand that. I don’t have any control over whose kidney I get or when. When the hospital called all I knew was a good kidney was waiting for me and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. It shouldn’t make me a bad person for finally getting what my body needs.
I know keeping the fact that I might have his brother’s kidney from him wasn’t good. I could’ve handled things differently that’s for sure. And he’s entitled to want his space, but I don’t think I deserve to be shoved to the side like I don’t matter.
Because despite what he might believe now, what we’ve shared these summer months is a connection that can’t be replicated. I think we were always meant to cross paths and fate kept shoving us together.
As much as I want to dwell on things, I can’t; I have to work.
This is first time I’m not happy being here and I don’t like the feeling.
But as they say, the show must go on.
I rap my knuckles against Tessa’s office door before I go.
She looks up from her desk and smiles when she sees me, which shocks me. I figured she’d be mad at me too.
“Come in, Willa.”
I step inside and take a seat in front of her desk.
“Are you okay?” she asks with motherly concern.
“No,” I answer honestly. There’s no point in lying.
“I’m so sorry about what happened. If I’d known I wouldn’t have announced it like that.”
“It’s okay. It’s not like I advertise the fact I have a transplant so I can’t expect for you to have known.” Taking a breath, I brace myself. “I wanted to give my two weeks’ notice. My parents got me tickets to Japan for two weeks, and … well after all this I don’t want to make things difficult for Jasper, so I decided I’ll remove myself from the situation so he won’t have to worry about avoiding me.”
She shakes her head. “Willa, don’t quit.”
“I don’t want to, but it’s for the best. He hates me and … I can’t bear to be around to see that hatred from him. Anyone but him.”
She clucks her tongue. “He doesn’t hate you, not by a long shot. But it’s the ones we care about the most that have the deepest power to hurt us—and hurt is all he feels right now. Jasper is a passionate person. He’ll come around.”
“I’m not so sure.” I can feel the sting of tears piercing my eyes.
“I’ve known Jasper for almost twenty-one years now.” She smiles, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “So, believe me when I say, I know given time he’ll see how much he overreacted.”
“I hope you’re right.”
I want her to be right. I want to believe he’ll come to me, let me explain, and we’ll make up but I can’t help but think I’ve hurt him too badly for that to happen.
“Still want to quit?” She tilts her head slightly to the side, like she’s daring me to answer yes.
“No.”
“Good girl.” She winks. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow,” I echo, and leave.