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Illness And Call

MADISON

    After that day at the store, I couldn’t stop thinking about Jeff. My phone’s ringtone pulled me out of my thoughts and it was an unknown number, making me frown.

   I hit the answer button and put it against my ear.

   "Hello?" I asked.

   "Hi, pretty lady. How are you?" To my surprise, it was him. How did he get my number, I don't know, but something was telling me it might have been Oliver.

   Sneaky fool. 

   I was excited about hearing Jeff’s voice, though. It was one of the best things that could happen to me.

   “I’m very well, how are you?” I replied, blushing already. I was glad he couldn't see me.

   “Really good, I was just calling to see if you would like to go out for lunch or dinner one day." 

   I had to admit, I was in shock. I never thought he would ask me out. For a moment, I was silent before giving him an answer.

   “Sure, I would love to go out with you one day.” 

   “Great! How about dinner on Friday night?” 

   “Of course! Around seven sounds good?” 

   “It sounds great, I’ll pick you up at your house Friday at seven.” 

   After hanging up, I felt butterflies in my stomach. I know I sound like a teenager crushing on a boy. But I never had boyfriends in school. I mean, who would fall in love with a person on a wheelchair? 

   I never stood a chance with anyone.

~~~~~~

   Friday arrived and I was getting ready, excited to see Jeff. Dad came into my room and he happily helped me with my hair. 

   Without Mom around, he had to take over her duties and learn everything.

   He was really bad at the beginning, but he was persevering and was always excited to help me out with anything I needed.

   After I did my makeup, Dad helped me to my wheelchair and wheeled me out to the porch where Jeff was already waiting for me with a bouquet of roses. 

   We smiled at each other and a blush crept up my face. It was my very first date and I was already nervous. 

   They both helped me in his truck and we headed off to enjoy a nice night. 

   At the restaurant, we enjoyed each other’s company and I had to admit, he was really funny. He would make me laugh through dinner and was also attentive and kind.

   It made me like him even more. 

   This is the kind of thing I wish I had my sister here for. To share everything that happened to me, and talk about guys like two hopeless romantics. 

   All of a sudden I started to feel dizzy and my heart was beating faster than normal. Jeff noticed it and kneeled next to me.

   “Are you okay, Madison?” he asked, concerned.

   “No, I feel a little dizzy. Maybe some fresh air will do me good,” I replied, holding my head.

   He quickly asked for the check and we were about to head out when out of nowhere, I felt my vision get blurry. I could hear Jeff's voice far away, but I couldn't remember the rest as I had fainted.

~~~~~~

   I woke up in the hospital, nurses checking my blood pressure and doctors talking to each other. I assumed it was about me. 

   I asked the nurse where Jeff was and giving me a smile, she quickly went to get him. Dad came in with him behind, their worried faces had me concerned.

   I wanted to know what happened to me. As I tried to sit up on the bed, Frank stopped me.

   “Easy, Madison. You need to lay down and rest. You fainted and we want you to take it easy,” he said.

   “Frank, what happened to my daughter?” Dad asked.

   “We made some tests and they’re not looking that good. Madison has aplastic anemia. It's when the body stops producing new blood cells. She is just experiencing the beginning of it, it could be worse,” Frank explained.

   “Is there anything we can do?” Jeff asked as he held my hand, bringing a smile on my face at how caring he was.

   “Well, she’ll need a bone marrow transplant. We can make tests on anyone close to her, starting with you, Harold, to see if you’re compatible,” Frank replied. 

   “Frank, please do anything to help me. I’m sure someone would be compatible with me. Dad, call my sister again, please,” I pleaded.

   “Sweet pea, last time I called she didn’t even bother calling back,” Dad mentioned. My heart sunk at the thought of not seeing her ever.

   “Try again, she might be the most compatible one since she’s my twin. I need her, and I want to see her again.” I was too tired to keep talking so I decided to rest and I fell asleep. 

~~~~~~

HAROLD

   As soon as Madison fell asleep, we all walked out of her room. I felt a hand on my shoulder, making me turn around to face whoever it was.

   “Harold, don’t worry. She’ll be okay, I am sure of that," Jeff said, trying to reassure me. 

   “I hope you’re right. I lost one daughter, I can’t lose another one,” I replied. 

   “Are you going to call Morgan?” He asked.

   “I'll try calling her again. I hope this time she speaks to me," I replied, praying to God she did.

   I walked outside of the hospital and took my cell phone out, dialing her office again. I was sure she wondered how I found out about her whereabouts, but what she doesn’t know is that I had hired a private investigator and to my joy, he found her. 

   The phone rang a few times when the sweet voice of her assistant answered again. 

   “Office of Morgan Williams. This is Cara, how can I help you?” I heard her say.

   “Hi Cara, this is Harold again. I was hoping to be able to talk to Morgan. She didn’t call me back that day,” I replied.

   “Sure, Mr. Williams. I’ll transfer you to her right now,” she said.

   She put me on hold and just a few seconds later, I heard that voice that I was dying to hear for years.

   “This is Morgan Williams, how can I help you?” she said.

   “Hi, Morgan. This is your dad,” I answered.

   I was pretty sure she was in shock since she didn’t talk right away. 

   All I did was hope she wanted to listen to me and didn't hang up. I needed to talk to her right now, or her sister would not recover anytime soon.