The doctor gave me a confused look. Cole was getting impatient, and Rocco looked worried. Ralph was calm.
“I need permission from him. His father gave me permission to divulge information only to him. I’m sorry. I need his okay.”
Rocco nodded.
“It’s okay, doc,” Rocco said sadly. “I’m not sure it would matter anyway.”
The situation seemed tense. I didn’t understand what the big deal was with the transfusion and everything. But the doctor explained, and everything became abundantly clear.
“Mr. Moretti has cancer. He’s been coming here to receive treatments. The treatments have lowered his white blood cell count, and now he needs a blood match. He’s AB negative.”
My heart dropped.
This guy is roughly our age.
What’s he doing getting cancer like that?
Who’s going to help me convince Cole?
“Oh, my God, Doctor. What can we do to help?” I asked.
“If all of you are willing, can we test your blood for AB negative?”
We all stayed silent for a moment. The doctor seemed anxious to get our approval. Rocco still looked sad, and I was petrified, but I hid it really well.
“Fine, I’ll go first,” Cole volunteered.
“Splendid,” the doctor said. “What about the rest of you?” he asked.
We all agreed.
We’ll see what happens.
You have to pull through, Moretti.
CHAPTER 11
COLE
We were all sitting in the back area of the emergency room. There was an empty seat to my right, and Clarissa was sitting to my left, holding my left hand. In front were Ralph, sitting all the way to my right, and Rocco, who was directly in front of me.
“They’ve already checked my blood type,” Rocco said. He had a very nervous look on his face.
“If anything happens to my dad, I don’t know what’ll happen to the business. My grandfather is not the easiest person to get along with. He’ll probably come up from New Jersey,” Rocco said with much concern in his voice.
“Have you notified him yet?” Clarissa asked.
“Are you crazy?” he snapped. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. Just the thought of Grandpa coming back to town gets me really nervous. He’s a very violent person. You don’t know him.”
Yes, I do.
“Don’t worry, Rocco. Everything is going to be okay,” Clarissa reassured him.
Ralph stayed quiet, waiting for his turn to test his blood.
A nurse finally came out and called out my name.
“Cole Bennett, I need a Cole Bennett, please.”
