The Donor by Nikki Rae Page B

said.
    “Yeah.” I snorted. “Not many dying girls who would want to spend their last days alive with a stranger.”
    “Or help that stranger.”
    “Or really want to kiss that stranger.”
    I don't know why I said it out loud. I could have blamed the alcohol, but I knew that was just an excuse. I knew that even if I was stone cold sober I would have wanted the same thing.
    Jonah smiled. “Exactly.”
    But he didn't kiss me.
     
     
    ***
     
    Mom walks through the door to our trailer before me, and I trail after her like a child. My nose had stopped bleeding when we were about half way home. Mom had asked me if I was okay, and I told her yes. She commented on how I hadn't stopped bleeding, and I said I would explain.
    She asks me again if I’m okay. I only nod.
    Dad’s sitting in his usual recliner, watching TV. He switches it off when he sees me, standing on stiff legs. “Casey,” he says, shuffling over to me to enclose me in a hug. I guide him back to the couch and he sits.
    “Hi, Dad,” I say. Seeing him, being face to face with this decision now that both of my parents are in the same room as me, I don't know what to do. It’s hard to move, hard to breathe.
    Mom sits on the couch. Now they’re both looking expectantly at me. Mom has a worried expression on her face while Dad waits patiently and smiles.
    “So,” he says. “Tell me about your trip.”
    I take a breath, steadying myself.
    “Let me go to the bathroom first,” I say. I don't wait for an answer before I hurry down the hall and shut myself inside.
    I sit on the closed toilet lid, sliding my phone from my pocket.
     
    Me: I can't do this.
     
    Jonah responds almost immediately, but it isn't what I was expecting.
     
    Jonah: Me either.
     
    I blink a few times, unable to tell if he’s serious or if this is a hallucination.
     
    Me: Where are you?
    Jonah: Still at the airport. They called my gate thirty minutes ago and I couldn’t stand.
    Jonah: I've just been sitting here.
    Me: I just had a nosebleed in front of my mom.
    Jonah: Where are you now?
    Me: Home. I'm scared.
    Jonah: Let's be scared together?
     
    My hands shake with the phone in them. Does he want to abandon our plan?
    I know that isn't an option now that I’m home. We’ve made it this far, and I know both of us can't back out now.
    But maybe we can stretch time a little while longer.
     
    Jonah: Give me your address. I'll be there.
     
    ***
     
    I picked up my glass from the table and drained the rest of it. I was afraid that Jonah had only shown me his secret house in order to get what he really wanted from me. Now that he knew I would give it to him, he didn't have any interest in me.
    “I'm sorry, Casey,” he said.
    When I didn't look at him, he took my glass from me and set it down on the table again. I couldn't look at him. I was too embarrassed.
    Jonah placed a hand on the side of my face and positioned it so I was looking right at him. It was a gentle gesture, but it made my heart pound faster in my chest.
    “I...” he couldn't finish his sentence.
    “I thought you liked me,” I said, and I could hear a slight whine in my voice. I hated it.
    He kissed my forehead. “I do,” he said softly. “I really do.”
    I blinked a few times, willing myself to keep it together and not cry. “Then why...” I took a breath. “Why don't you want me anymore?”
    Jonah sighed. He took my hand and we both stared down at it. “I do,” he repeated. “More than you know.”
    Taking my hand, he lay down with me on the couch. With him behind me, I was more aware of him, the way his free hand stroked my hair. We both watched the tank across the room, the gentle hum lulling us into calmness. I wanted to say something, but words escaped me as we drew closer to each other.
     
    ***
     
    I emerge from the bathroom and Mom and Dad are both staring at me.
    “So,” Mom says. “We're waiting.” She seems uneasy, but she doesn't mention the nosebleed and I’m not ready to.
    Picking a