Until the Last Breath

His eyes drop to mine. “What? No! Nothing like that, babe. I would never—” He stops talking immediately, then sighs. “I love you, Shannon. I will never leave you. Calm down. It’s okay.”

My pulse settles, and the beeping of the monitor slows to a steady rhythm. “Okay…so what is it then? What do have to tell me?”

His lips twitch, and his mouth is prepared to speak, but he stops when Dr. Monroe and Tessa walk into the room.

“There she is!” Dr. Monroe grins as she walks my way, holding her hands out as if she is truly happy to see me. I return a wary smile. “You had us all scared there for a minute. It was a long seven days.”

“Seven days?” I gasp.

“Yes, but don’t you worry. You are okay now.” She’s still smiling. “How are you feeling?”

“Good I guess.”

“How is your pain?”

“On my side?” I ask, touching it.

“Yes. On a scale of one to ten, how would you rate it?”

“Hmm…maybe a six or a seven.”

“Okay, good. I’m glad it’s not too severe. The fentanyl is clearly doing its job after such an intense surgery. In the mean time, let me do a quick vital check, make sure all is still well.”

I chew on my bottom lip as she steps closer my way with her stethoscope. As she does, I notice John and Tessa are both staring at me and for the first time they are smiling. Hope swims in both of their eyes.

“You mentioned surgery,” I murmur, looking up at Dr. Monroe. “What was it for? What happened to me?”

“A miracle is what happened, Shannon,” Dr. Monroe says with a warm smile. “There was a match that came in for you. Same blood type as yours and all. A female with the same height and build. Her lungs were strong and in perfect condition. It’s unfortunate we lost her, but we are grateful that she was a donor, otherwise you would not be sitting here right now.”

I swallow hard, my eyes rounding. “Are you for real?”

“Yes,” she responds, elated. “As of two days ago, I am pleased to tell that you have been cured of Onyx Pleura, Shannon. You have a new set of lungs now. You’re going to be okay.”

I gasp and then immediately cup my mouth. Oh my God. I’m… fucking speechless. This has to be a dream or some kind of twisted, sick joke. I must still be in a coma, wishing something like this would happen because this cannot be real.

As if she’s read my mind, Tessa says, “Trust me, Shannon, this is happening.” She sobs and laughs at the same time. “You’re better, sis! You’re going to be okay!”

“I can’t believe this,” I breathe. I want to rejoice. I want to shout and scream and run until I can’t run anymore, just to test these new lungs out, but perhaps that’s a little overboard.

I draw in a deep breath and tears sting my eyes. I can breathe clearly. Evenly. I don’t feel any pinches or pain as I breathe. It’s smooth. Easy.

“I suppose you’ve already been told about the unfortunate event with your friend Max too?” Dr. Monroe’s voice fills the room again, and I whip my head up, my shock transforming to confusion.

“What are you talking about?”

She looks down at me after checking the monitor and her smile evaporates. Stepping back, she folds her fingers in front of her and clears her throat. “Oh, I um…I apologize. I had assumed you were already informed.”

Her eyes move over to John and Tessa, as if seeking backup. John shakes his head. Tessa closes her eyes briefly before opening them and looking down.

“I will tell the nurses you’re awake and to deliver some food. I will be back later to do another check on you, then we’ll perform a few breathing tests.” She walks out of the room so fast that her white coat is like a blur.

“What is she talking about?” I look between my husband and my sister. Both of them have these guilty looks on their faces. Neither of them can look me in the eye.

“Tessa?” I whisper, my voice cracking. She looks away, turning for the sofa and dropping her face into her palms. I put my focus on John. “John?”

“Yeah, babe?”

“What is she talking about with Max? What unfortunate event?”

John sighs and looks down at his lap. I can feel my heart thundering in my chest now. I need answers, and they are all stalling. “John, what the hell happened to Max?” I demand.

“He got into a wreck!” Tessa shouts abruptly, and then her face is in her hands again and she’s sobbing. “God, Shannon, it was bad. So bad.” Her voice is muffled in her hands, but I hear every word.

“A wreck? H-how? How did that happen?”

Tessa’s face is completely covered by her hands now. I know she won’t say anything again for a while, not through those tears, so I look at John for answers.