and then post-op recovery time is estimated to be three to four weeks… Yes, sir… I can still provide some assistance with cases… No, sir… I can research case law and submit information via email… Thank you, sir. Yes, this was unexpected, but I’m just thankful that my job will still be here after all this is done. Yes, sir. Thank you again. I’ll be in touch.” Vaughan hung up the phone. He felt another gust of relief. He hadn’t even officially started the job yet and already he was taking medical leave. He told his boss a version of the truth. That he was donating a kidney, but to a family member on his mother’s side. There was no reason for him to disclose exactly what his situation was. He’d save his man’s life and get to work as soon as he could.
He was sitting at his father’s desk, using his computer to handle his business before he had to be at the hospital to meet the shrink. He’d gotten in today at two on a cancellation. Dr. Chauncey called and informed him that the board had met at eleven that morning and accepted Duke as a candidate. As soon as Vaughan finished the last leg of his testing, he’d get a date to check in to the hospital. He was starting to breathe easier. It was looking like this was going to happen. He wished he could tell Duke that everything was going to be okay, but he wouldn’t risk telling him and Duke declining the surgery because of it. As long as he didn’t know, Duke would thank god for answering his prayer and have the surgery.
He was still wondering what excuse he’d give Duke for why he wouldn’t be there by his side before he went in for the transplant. He was still debating that. Vaughan wasn’t used to lying or even omitting the truth. He believed a man should be about his word. A real man didn’t have to lie. Now, he saw the shades of gray regarding his long-held rule. Duke wasn’t a fool, but they would have to pull this off or else he’d lose the love of his life and his father would lose his best friend.
He’d had a long talk with his father that morning. They’d woken early since Vaughan had affairs to get in order and Quick was running Duke’s business. After showing his father more research, he believed he’d put him at ease. Checking his watch, he saw he had forty minutes before his appointment; being late wouldn’t look good. He wore a black and gray stripped business suit, wanting to appear professional. Duke would think he was working when he stopped by after his appointment. Grabbing the folder which he was referring to as his “donor documents,” and his wallet, he headed out the front door.
~~~
The appointment took well over two hours. It was more like an interrogation than a conversation. The doctor asked him a lot of questions that were very similar to each other. Do you believe in god? Do you believe in heaven? Do you have a god complex? Do you believe man makes his own fate or do you believe in a higher power? Vaughan knew the right answers, the wrong answers, and the answers they wanted to hear, so the latter was what he gave them.
“Well, I believe this concludes our session. Do you have any questions for me Mr. Webb?”
“Did I pass? Am I well-balanced enough to donate a kidney?”
The doctor looked up from his notes, a slight crinkle appearing next to his left eye when he smirked. “There’s no pass or fail.”
Vaughan stood and re-buttoned his Donna Karan suit jacket. The psychologist’s office was set up just like any other shrink’s, regardless that it was in the hospital. The lighting was dim and the couch and chaise lounge were positioned so the doctor could face him from his burgundy wingback chair. Gazing out the window, his stomach begin to whirl with anticipation. “You know what I mean. You know exactly what I’m asking.”
“You’re more than capable. It’s truly commendable what you’re doing.” The doctor flipped a couple pages in a manila folder and looked back up at him. “I understand
He was sitting at his father’s desk, using his computer to handle his business before he had to be at the hospital to meet the shrink. He’d gotten in today at two on a cancellation. Dr. Chauncey called and informed him that the board had met at eleven that morning and accepted Duke as a candidate. As soon as Vaughan finished the last leg of his testing, he’d get a date to check in to the hospital. He was starting to breathe easier. It was looking like this was going to happen. He wished he could tell Duke that everything was going to be okay, but he wouldn’t risk telling him and Duke declining the surgery because of it. As long as he didn’t know, Duke would thank god for answering his prayer and have the surgery.
He was still wondering what excuse he’d give Duke for why he wouldn’t be there by his side before he went in for the transplant. He was still debating that. Vaughan wasn’t used to lying or even omitting the truth. He believed a man should be about his word. A real man didn’t have to lie. Now, he saw the shades of gray regarding his long-held rule. Duke wasn’t a fool, but they would have to pull this off or else he’d lose the love of his life and his father would lose his best friend.
He’d had a long talk with his father that morning. They’d woken early since Vaughan had affairs to get in order and Quick was running Duke’s business. After showing his father more research, he believed he’d put him at ease. Checking his watch, he saw he had forty minutes before his appointment; being late wouldn’t look good. He wore a black and gray stripped business suit, wanting to appear professional. Duke would think he was working when he stopped by after his appointment. Grabbing the folder which he was referring to as his “donor documents,” and his wallet, he headed out the front door.
~~~
The appointment took well over two hours. It was more like an interrogation than a conversation. The doctor asked him a lot of questions that were very similar to each other. Do you believe in god? Do you believe in heaven? Do you have a god complex? Do you believe man makes his own fate or do you believe in a higher power? Vaughan knew the right answers, the wrong answers, and the answers they wanted to hear, so the latter was what he gave them.
“Well, I believe this concludes our session. Do you have any questions for me Mr. Webb?”
“Did I pass? Am I well-balanced enough to donate a kidney?”
The doctor looked up from his notes, a slight crinkle appearing next to his left eye when he smirked. “There’s no pass or fail.”
Vaughan stood and re-buttoned his Donna Karan suit jacket. The psychologist’s office was set up just like any other shrink’s, regardless that it was in the hospital. The lighting was dim and the couch and chaise lounge were positioned so the doctor could face him from his burgundy wingback chair. Gazing out the window, his stomach begin to whirl with anticipation. “You know what I mean. You know exactly what I’m asking.”
“You’re more than capable. It’s truly commendable what you’re doing.” The doctor flipped a couple pages in a manila folder and looked back up at him. “I understand
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