Page 6 of You Only Need One

If only.

Just as I’m trying to brainstorm ways to hear that sweet voice again, my parents are ushered into the room.

“So sorry we’re late,” Mom says before giving me a kiss on the cheek while my dad pats me on the back. “Are these the Fosters?” She turns hungry eyes on the siblings, who stand up to greet my parents.

“Yeah, Mom. This is Holly Foster and Marcus Foster.” I try to meet Holly’s eyes, but she’s shifted her attention away from me. “And these are my parents, Victoria and Benjamin Gerhard.”

More handshakes are exchanged, and everyone takes their seats. Dr. Stevens lets out a noise of satisfaction, and the large TV screen at the end of the room emits the ringing of a telephone. A few seconds go by before my cousin, Fred, appears on the screen. He grins through his thick beard and waves. Next to him is a well-dressed man with more hair on his upper lip than the top of his head. Introductions resume, and I find out that Fred’s companion is Dr. Gupta, and Holly and Marcus’s is Dr. Williams. After everyone says their hellos, the doctors get into the details.

“Now, I want to reiterate to Holly and Fred, this is all voluntary. You are under no obligation to complete this donation if, at any point, you feel uncomfortable with proceeding.”

I swear that Holly flinches slightly at Dr. Williams’s words.

Does she not really want to donate? Is her brother forcing her into this?

I should talk to Holly alone at some point. To ask her about the donation, of course. Definitely not because I want to try to get a real smile out of her.

“Over the next few months, you will undergo multiple tests to ensure you are healthy enough to donate. You will also submit to mental evaluations, so we know you are emotionally ready to take on this task. You will be counseled on the procedure as well as the potential risks and the recovery period. Do you understand all of this?”

Both Holly and Fred nod.

“Good. Once we finish with those steps, assuming everything goes well, we will schedule your surgeries. Now, you’ve all introduced yourselves to one another, but we like to provide you with this time to get to know a little more about each other. Also, you can decide on how much communication you’d like to have during this process.”

“How much is there normally?” This is from my mother, who keeps smiling at Holly, likely just a step away from hopping over the table and planting a kiss on the girl’s mouth.

Get in line, Mom.

“It differs from case to case,” Dr. Stevens says. “Some decide that meeting once is all they need and don’t converse until the day of surgery. Maybe not even then. Others exchange contact information and actually spend time together. They like the idea of having that connection. It’s really up to you all.”

Well, I know what I want, and it doesn’t involve leaving this room and never getting to see Miss Foster again.

In a strange reflection of my mom, my donor now wears a huge smile. Unfortunately, I’m not on the receiving end of it. That lucky bastard is cousin Fred, who grins right back.

After a beat of silence, I’m about to open my mouth when Holly takes the words from me.

“I understand if you all would prefer not to, but I’d really like to keep in touch. Even if it’s just texting. Or a phone call every so often.” She directs all these words at Fred.

I get the strong urge to remind her that it’s me she’s giving her kidney to.

Then, I notice her hand. It’s not tapping on the table anymore or fiddling with her highlighter. Instead, she has it wrapped around her brother’s wrist, gripping hard. As if to reassure herself that he’s still sitting beside her.

I glance back at my parents and find them both staring at Holly like she’s a magic genie, here to grant them a wish. In a way, she is.

My parents gaze at Holly the same way she’s looking at my cousin, and I can’t fault her for ignoring me.

But I decide that, when she’s done thanking the universe for the gift that is Fred’s kidney, I’m going to make her notice me again.

“You want someone to talk to? I’m your man.” I lean over the table toward her, trying to catch her eye.

Holly hits me with the full weight of her attention. “Regular phone calls and everything?” The hope in her voice gives me all the opening I need.

“Why stop at phone calls? Other than Fred, we’re all in Philly. You wanna hang out, then just give me a place and time.”

I know I’ve said the right thing when her soft mouth curls up at the corners. The sweet smile does strange things to my chest, and suddenly, every inch of my skin heats up.

I’m so screwed.

HOLLY