After My In-Laws Donated Their Bodies

“Doctor, my father-in-law is running out of time. He needs the surgery now! Didn’t you tell us you found him a compatible heart? What do you mean you don’t have it?”

Helen Black, my mother-in-law, and I were standing at the door of the doctor’s office. We were begging for the update of a matching heart for Peter Black, my father-in-law.

The doctor looked hesitant and conflicted. Then he sighed deeply and scribbled a phone number on a slip of paper before handing it to us.

As Helen and I looked at the familiar number, we exchanged looks with each other. It was the number belonging to Nate Black, my husband.

Helen’s face lit up with relief. “I knew it. I knew we could count on Nate. He must have secured the heart himself to make sure everything went smoothly. It’s okay. Peter can hold on a little longer.”

I hesitated. “But I just tried calling Nate. He didn’t pick up any of my calls.”

Helen smiled and said, “It’s okay. He’s probably just tied up with something. He’s a busy man. I’d better go tell Peter the good news and tell him to wait a little longer. His son is coming to save him!”

As she hurried off to my father-in-law’s room, I could not shake the uneasy feeling in my mind.

Nate was the lead cardiac surgeon at this hospital. If he had reserved the heart in advance, why did he not tell us?

I tried calling Nate again, but he was still not answering.

Inside the ward, Helen was talking to Peter, who was struggling to breathe. My heart was sinking fast when I saw the joyful look on her face.

Clutching my phone tightly, I could not bring myself to step into the room. I leaned against the wall as a helpless feeling washed over me.

Suddenly, the monitor let out a piercing alarm. Peter’s condition had worsened again.

Helen’s smile froze in place. She watched in panic as doctors rushed in to stabilize him.

Frantically, I dialed Nate’s number again. This time, thank goodness, he answered.

Helen stared at the phone.

I quickly spoke into the phone. “Nate, your dad has had a relapse, and he’s in the hospital. You took the matching heart, right? Bring it over now. Dad is running out of time!”

However, another woman’s voice came through the line. It was Camile Walker, Nate’s first love. “Nate is prepping for my dad’s surgery. He’s busy! Andrea, why are you calling him at such a critical time? He’s working! Stop distracting him!”

She hung up.

A horrifying realization began dawning on me.

Helen’s voice was hollow as she said, “What was Camile talking about? Nate was prepping for surgery for her dad? Does that mean the compatible heart…”

Her hands started shaking uncontrollably.

I immediately grabbed her hand. “Mom, this has to be some kind of misunderstanding. I’ll find him and bring the heart back.

“Please calm down! Dad’s going to be okay! Stay here with him. I’ll find Nate!”

I grabbed my car keys and turned to leave.

Before I could go far, Helen called out, “Andrea, I’ll go! Let me go. Nate always listens to me!”

I was not comfortable with her going alone, but she smiled and said, “Andrea, you’re not as experienced behind the wheel as I am. Don’t worry. I know what I’m doing. I’ll bring Nate and Peter’s compatible heart back. Peter is waiting for me. That old man can’t live without me.”

I was still worried and suggested she take a cab instead.

Though she snatched the keys from me and said she needed to be ready and played it by ear.

All I could do was sigh as I watched her walk away.

I did not know it then, but that decision would become the biggest regret of my life.