#heartmatch Read online

  She’s still mad about dad coming tomorrow. Well, let her sleep on it.

  Sonic whined.

  Go to her.

  That voice again.

  “In the morning,” he whispered to himself. “I’ll surprise her with breakfast and ask for a ride to the hospital.” He grinned at that idea.

  Jason sat down behind his computer and turned on the games. For tonight, he’d fight the enemy and win.

  FEBRUARY 14

  Tuesday

  Jason stared at the ceiling.

  That damned dream. So realistic.

  A menagerie of people had surrounded him. Some he knew and some he didn’t. His grandpa, his mom, Sonic—they’d all been there. Jason reached to pet his furry friend lying next to him on the bed. Everyone had tried to warn him about something. Their arms had stretched out and for the life of him, he hadn’t been able to escape. He glanced at the nightstand clock.

  Can’t be. Holy crap.

  He clicked the television remote, realized his clock had the correct time, and jumped out of bed. He raced through the doorway to his mom’s room.

  Mom’s not here?

  He listened for the sounds of his mom in the kitchen.

  Unusually quiet.

  The hairs on the back of his neck stood straight up. He didn’t know why. At the end of the hallway he glanced at the coatrack.

  Fake fur coat and day bag gone.

  Sonic followed him to the front door. He opened it and looked out for her car. He could barely see. Snow whipped sideways. Cold hammered against his bare chest. The driveway had two inches of fresh snow with drifts on both sides. Tire tracks led into the street.

  “Mom shoveled and left. No good-byes?”

  Sonic lifted a leg on the snowy porch column to pee.

  Jason shivered from both the wintry chill and from worry. “Maybe she left a note on the table.”

  He closed the door and strode quickly through the living room to the kitchen. Relief passed through him as he noticed the sheet of yellow paper on the tablecloth. He read.

  Hunker down today. The snow is drifting. Only emergency crews and medical personal are supposed go out in this blizzard. I’ll text you as I’m leaving the hospital after my shift is over. I love you Jase. Sorry for not telling you last night. Stay warm. Love you always, Mom.

  He walked to the fridge with a satisfied grin on his face.

  Alone for the day.

  His grandma wouldn’t chance going out in weather like this. He prepared a grilled cheese, chips, and a soda for breakfast.

  Too early to Facetime Sam.

  Jason ate, showered, dressed, smoked a joint, and sat down by his computer to play some games.

  He tried Darla’s number again. He left a message on her voicemail. “Hey, it’s me, Jason. Call me back when you can.”

  The TV continued to repeat and update storm news. “Rocky Mountain drivers are sliding across the city. The worst whiteout in years.”

  Jason briefly wondered if his dad had gotten caught in the storm. He’d driven tanks through desert sand storms during his military stint.

  A little blizzard wouldn’t phase him.

  After a trip to the hospital to visit Sam and say hello to mom, he’d return home before his dad stopped by and picked him up for dinner. Both his mom and Sam would have a nice shock when he showed up. And his dad? While he was looking forward to seeing him, well, he’d better come up with some good answers before Jason would even begin to forgive him for leaving.

  Sonic jumped on the bed and snuggled into the covers. Jason pulled up a new game, homed in on the characters, gave them machine guns, and began the chase.

  ###

  Elizabeth held Samantha’s hand as she watched the weather channel. Lunch came and went and still no news from her dad. Her mom had stayed home.

  Samantha stared at the television. According to the news, drivers were out there, trudging down the roadways. Airports cancelled flights and many travelers had become stranded. A foot of blowing snow would completely efface the major thoroughfares before nightfall.

  “Let’s turn off the television,” Elizabeth suggested.

  Samantha shook her head.

  “Okay. Then I’ll turn it down.”

  A quick glance at her cellphone, nestled on top of the covers, showed no messages from either her dad or Jason.

  Where is everyone?

  Snow covered the window. Her mother phoned, trying to reassure Samantha that her dad had probably stopped for lunch along the way.

  She dialed Jason. He picked up on the second ring. Samantha wanted to cry.

  “Hey.” The words clogged somewhere in her throat.

  “Hi, Sam. Happy Valentine’s Day.”

  She nodded.

  “You there?”

  “Like I’d move,” she answered.

  “Your gift should arrive soon.”

  Elizabeth stepped out of the room.

  “Happy Birthday Jason,” she whispered.

  “I’m going to freeze a slice of cake for you.” He chuckled. “If there’s any left after tonight. I’m waiting for my dad to pick me up and he used to love chocolate cake. He’s coming in sometime soon and taking me to dinner.”

  “He can still drive on the roads?”

  “My dad? Yeah, he’ll make it. What about yours?”

  “He’s not answering his phone. I’m so worried.”

  “Don’t worry, Sam. He’s probably trying to find a store to buy a bouquet of flowers.”

  “He could get flowers on the ground floor of the hospital. What if he’s had a wreck somewhere?”

  “Think positive. You’ll see him soon and realize you worried for nothing.”

  “Are you watching television?”

  “Yep. Remember my mom has to drive in this storm when she gets off work.”

  Samantha pointed. “Look at the TV, Jason. Stretches of highways are closing. And—” she hesitated.

  Elizabeth came in and turned off the TV. Samantha’s phone screen went blank at that precise moment.

  “My dear. I’ll be back soon. I need to make an emergency run. Call your mom and talk to her while I’m gone.”

  “Don’t leave me,” Samantha cried. “I’m so scared.”

  “Nothing to be afraid of.” Elizabeth hugged her. “I’ll be right back.”

  Another nurse came into the room and nodded to Elizabeth.

  “This is Becky, sweetie. She’ll stay with you until I get back.”

  “But—”

  Elizabeth hurried away.

  ###

  “Damn phone.” Jason couldn’t find his charger.

  He kept one eye on the TV news channel.

  Denver highways impassible. Bus and light rail suspended. All flights cancelled. Passengers stuck. Because of a major crash, one hundred cars stranded on highways leading in and out of Denver. Ambulances trying to get through.

  At that moment, Jason found his phone charger and plugged in. A message from his mom popped up.

  “Leaving the hospital. I’ll call.”

  “Shit. She sent that text thirty minutes ago.”

  He looked up from his phone to the TV screen. Back to his phone and once again to the news report. Jason fell to his knees. His phone dropped to the floor.

  Mom’s in that accident. I just know it.

  And he vomited.

  ###

  A snow plow, Jason. Git movin’.

  Jason shook his head to clear the cobwebs and got to his elbows.

  Why do I upchuck every time I’m fricking panicked?

  He got to his knees.

  More crap to clean up before mom—.

  Jason jumped to his feet. “Mom. Accident. Get the fricking hell on the road to the hospital.” He cursed because he had to waste time cleaning up the vomit with a wet face towel before he left the house.

  He grabbed gloves, wrapped himself into his warm ski jacket, slipped into boots, and opened the front door. The cold, sharp air took his breath away. He t
ook his ski cap out of the insulated pocket of his coat and slid the mask over his head.

  Jason couldn’t see where the steps were supposed to be. He jumped and landed perfectly on a thick patch of snow where the sidewalk should be. A snow plow sat idle at the end of his driveway. Getting to the driveway with all the blinding, face-freezing snow and fierce winds proved to be a challenge. Jason slid down the icy path to the plow and climbed in.

  “It’s running,” he muttered to himself. “Get the hell out of here before the driver dude comes back.”

  Drive this machine like grandpa’s tractor.

  He tried shifting. Nothing moved.

  Damn. This is nothing like any farm machine.

  “Hey, Bud. What you doin’ with my vehicle here?”

  Don’t turn. Act like you don’t hear him.

  Jason didn’t know how to drive this huge piece of equipment and he had to get to the hospital.

  “Trying to get to the hospital. My mom’s been in an accident.”

  “You sure about that, Dude?”

  “Yes,” Jason whispered. “I need to get there fast.”

  “Scoot over, Dude. I’ll get you there.”

  Jason nodded and almost cried with relief. “Can you stop calling me Dude?”

  “Will do. Now which hospital we goin’ to?”

  ###

  Doctor Sadana appeared at her bedside.

  “Samantha, I have good news for you.”

  She turned. Her eyes welled with tears. “The highways are closing. My dad’s somewhere out there and—”

  “My dear. We’ve sent for your mother. We have a donor heart match.” He turned to the nurse. “Nurse Becky will prepare you and wheel you down to surgery.”

  “No one’s here with me. I’m so scared.”

  “The police are bringing your mother over immediately,” Doctor Sadana advised.

  “No,” she cried. “I want my daddy.” Hot tears ran down her face and long hiccupping sobs robbed her of breath.

  “Samantha, calm down. You cannot get so excited. Your heart—”

  She started panting and lowered her voice to a whisper. “I will not go with you without my dad.”

  “That could be too late. The heart must be implanted quickly,” Doctor Sadana reached for her arm.

  Samantha jerked away. “Don’t touch me.” Her body shook as a low moan, resembling that of a wounded animal, resounded over the walls.

  “I’m here, Sam.”

  She looked up as Jason walked into the room and hurried over to her bed.

  Suddenly quiet filled the room.

  Samantha looked at Jason. “You’re here. I asked you not to come.”

  “Fate brought me here.” He pulled out the clumsily wrapped package. “Happy Valentine’s Day.”

  Samantha opened the present. A silver heart on a chain. “It’s a broken heart.”

  “It can be fixed. Place the jagged pieces together,” Jason encouraged.

  She did.

  “Turn the whole heart over now.”

  “It’s inscribed. It says, ‘Fate brought us together.’”

  “You’ll wear one half and I,” Jason pulled out a matching chain, “will take the other half.”

  Samantha didn’t say anything.

  “I’m here for you, Sam. I won’t move until this doctor,” he glanced at Doctor Sadana, “tells me your new heart is beating.” He took in a deep breath. “I’ll wait for your parents too.”

  “And Nurse Elizabeth?”

  Jason frowned thoughtfully and then smiled.

  “Nurse Elizabeth,” he nodded. “Yes, I’ll wait for my mom right here in this spot too.”

  Samantha gasped. “She’s your mother?”

  “Unless there are two nurses on this floor named Elizabeth, I would imagine that’s her.”

  Doctor Sadana nodded. “It’s her alright. You must be Jason.”

  “Yep.”

  “Samantha, we need to get you prepared now. Sorry Jason, you’ll have to wait in the waiting room.”

  “Will you be here when I wake up?” Samantha asked.

  “I will stay here forever if I have to.”

  Doctor Sadana nodded to Nurse Becky. “Get her ready. I’ll have the gurney sent in. Samantha,” he clasped her hand. “I’ll be with you until I turn you over to this young man right here.”

  Samantha nodded.

  He laid a hand on Jason’s shoulder. “Tell this beautiful young lady you’ll meet her in recovery and then you need to leave so we can get busy.”

  “Thank you for the gift Jason. I’m sorry I couldn’t get you a birthday present.”

  “You are my birthday present. I’ll be waiting.” He pointed. “Somewhere out there.”

  He turned to leave.

  “Jason? Will one heart work for us?” She held up the necklace.

  “You’d better believe it.” And he left the room.

  EPILOGUE

  April

  An abundance of tall weeds from a nearby field waved with the gentle breeze. Birds chirped on budding branches and squirrels scampered across the bright green blades of grass poking through the earth. A cloudless blue sky spread from the plains to the mountain tops.

  Samantha lay extended on the colorful quilt depicting pictures from her life, at least up to this point. Her strawberry-blond locks had been braided and hung over her left shoulder. She wore a white scooped-neck T-shirt and loose navy-blue sweats. The sandals she had toed off lay to the side of the coverlet.

  “Here. Put this under your head.” Jason beat the pillow he’d found in the trunk on his knee before placing it under her lifted head.

  Samantha inhaled. “The air has an aromatic freshness. Thank you for driving me here today, Jason.”

  He sat down beside her and pointed to the silver band on her wrist. “How long do you have to wear the ID?”

  “My transplant alert bracelet?” Samantha shrugged. “Everything from now on is about timing. When I take my medications. When I go in for blood work. When I have another biopsy.” She stared at the sky. “And going back to school in the fall.”

  “School’s a good thing, right?”

  “It’s necessary for me to mingle again, or so my mother says.”

  He chuckled.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “You.” Jason ran a knuckle down her cheek. “Your dad wanted to come with us on your first venture away from home. You should have seen your expression.”

  “He just took another month off work. Daddy thinks I can’t do anything by myself.”

  “He cares and is doing just what all dads would do with a child in your situation.” Jason thought for a moment. “We had some good chats while you recuperated in the hospital. He’s a good man.”

  Samantha smiled. “And my mother?”

  “I think she’s beginning to like me.”

  She cupped her hand to whisper. “They’re driving me crazy with attention. Mom even wants to wipe me when I go to the toilet.”

  “Sam, you’re lucky to have them and—"

  “Yeah, I get their concern. You never know when something could happen to those you love.”

  Jason nodded. “We saw the unexpected during the February blizzard.” He snapped his fingers. “Poof. A life came and went just like that.”

  “Tell me the story again. The one where everyone went crazy in the hospital waiting room.”

  “Well, once upon a time—”

  “No silly. The real story of what that happened on Valentine’s Day.”

  “Again?”

  She nodded.

  “You should know it by heart,” he took in a deep breath before continuing. “I’ve told you that tale over and over. Surely you’ve memorized it by now.”

  She pouted. “Your deep voice is mesmerizing. Please?”

  “I’ll record that frightful night on my phone and send it to you,” he laughed.

  “One more time and I’ll never ask again,” she pleaded.

  Samantha put
a hand over her eyes to shade the sun. Jason cleared his throat before beginning.

  “Your rolling stretcher—”

  “Gurney,” Samantha corrected.”

  “Hey. Who’s telling this? You or me?”

  Samantha giggled. She nibbled her bottom lip and gave the zip up sign in front of her mouth.

  “Your gurney headed down the hallway out of sight that day and I went the other direction to the waiting room. At first, I sat alone for the longest time. I got a soda and candy bar from the machine and watched the news about the snowstorm. The roads had closed and the police told everyone not to venture outside.”

  Samantha’s eyes widened. She knew what came next.

  “Your mother came flying in through the double doors. She stopped, putting a hand to her chest and asked where you were. I told her they’d already taken you into surgery. She fell into an armchair.”

  “She cried, right? My mother seems so rigid sometimes but let something happen to me and her emotions break like a dam does in flood waters.”

  “I consoled her until suddenly my mom came rushing in through those same doors.”

  “Did you bawl then too?”

  Jason shook his head. “My temples pounded like crazy though because I thought she had been in the accident I saw on TV. In truth she had been called away to help with the victims in the highway crash.”

  “Did my mother and your mom have words for each other?”

  “No. My mom told your mother to stay seated and behave herself until further notice. She told me she was assisting with your surgery and left the room.”

  “My dad must have come in about then.”

  “Yep. He hurried in all wet with snow. His car had gone into a ditch and the police brought him to the hospital. He’d hoped to see you before surgery. He got upset after learning he wouldn’t be able to tell you he loved you.”

  Samantha turned on her side. “I want to sit up.”

  Jason gave her a long, surprised look and then offered his hand.

  “I can manage by myself, although I love it when you take both of my hands to help me.”

  Jason smiled. “Anything to please my Princess. Here’s some water. Keep hydrated, remember?”

  Samantha drank. “Go on.”

  “My dad flew into the room next. He entered crying hysterically. I couldn’t understand him. Actually, your mother calmed him down.”