Her One Wish

Even in the hardest times, when we have to make the hardest decisions, I love you.

Chloe's one wish was to serve others to the best of her ability. Carter Berkley grew up with Chloe. They were best friends. Last week, the doctors diagnosed him with kidney cancer and one year to live, unless a kidney showed up. Chloe spent hours by his bedside. At times she would sit there, writing, and then stare wishfully at him with crystal tears in her eyes. As he opened his eyes, she would wipe her tears away and smile. She told stories and read him books. They laughed at memories and movies. All the while, she kept writing. When she wasn't completing homework assignments, one found her fervently writing either in her dorm or sitting by Carter's bedside.

~~~~~

Chloe awoke. She sat down at her desk, tired and bleary-eyed, and wrote one last entry. She signed it and dated it. Today was a big day. Fear swept through her body. What would it be like? The doctors knew what they were doing. She had never been extremely sick before. Surgery was not a word in her normal vocabulary. What happened if the surgery didn't work? It would. It was not a life-threatening surgery.

She stared in the mirror and smiled that beautiful smile. In her eyes, sadness crept in, but hope and contentment quickly replaced it. Although she did not really understand why, a bit of makeup found itself applied to the peaceful, tear-stained face. She walked downstairs to her waiting parents.

"I'm ready," she smiled.

As she rode to the hospital in the car, her life flashed before her eyes. Surgeries like this were always successful. They never went wrong. Chloe knew it would all be fine. Yet, the what if surprised her with an increasing anxiety. She knew she must trust the process.

The hospital doors slid open on cue, and two females walked through. A hospital gown fell over naked shoulders, and a shot in the arm lulled Chloe to sleep. Bright lights and voices floated through the airs. What are they saying? It will all be fine, Chloe. It will all be fine. I must trust them. What if... She trailed off to sleep.

~~~~~

"Carter, with an amazing turn of events, a kidney has been donated to you."

Carter's eyes opened wide. "What? Really??? Are you for real?"

"Yeah. Someone just donated a kidney."

"Who, Doctor?" Carter asked.

"Unfortunately, I am not allowed to disclose that. Anyhow, we will begin surgery as soon as possible."

~~~~~

The next week, on the day before the surgery, Carter's mother came in with tears in her eyes. Chloe Hannigan had suddenly passed away. Mrs. Berkeley clutched a book in her hands, which she handed to Carter. Stunned, he opened the book, slowly, as if afraid to look.

Dear Carter, I love you. Even in the hardest times, when we have to make the hardest decisions, I love you.