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I placed the card back in the envelope and placed it to the side. "You didn't need to give me anything, you know. You're giving me a freaking organ."
"Yeah, but I wanted to."
I smiled, feeling grateful.
"This is for when surgery is over," Avery said as I pulled out the first gift wrapped in tissue paper. "You have to wear it."
"Promise," I said without even looking at it.
I unfolded the shirt and read the bold block letters. STRAIGHT OUTTA TRANSPLANT SURGERY. It had two little kidneys next to the wording.
I let out a belly laugh, and grinned from ear to ear. This was the first time in months I felt like I could breathe again, like there was a light at the end of the tunnel, and I owed it to my bestie. It was surreal.
"I love it! Leave it to you to find a shirt like this."
I reached into the bag again and pulled out another tissue wrapped gift. I held up the green shirt, the color associated with kidney disease, and read the white lettering. KIDNEY THIEF.
Avery poked her head around the side. She beamed with happiness. I loved that I could see her like this again but felt bad that it was only from being a match. But that was Avery. Always going above and beyond to make someone else happy.
As I pulled out yet another shirt, she said, "And this one is for now. There's two. One for you and one for me."
KIDNEY BESTIES FOR LIFE.
My lips parted. "This is what you said to me at the doctor's office today."
"I know. You didn't catch on to anything," she joked.
I couldn't laugh, though, not when I was crying again. My head fell into my hands and I burst into tears at her thoughtfulness. Avery reached over and pulled me into a hug, holding me tight as I cried softly on her shoulder.
"I love you, girl," she said, sniffling. "I know we had our first—and last—most epic fight ever, but that doesn't change a thing between us. I would do anything for you, like I know you would for me."
Damn it all to hell, she wasn't helping, but she was right. If the roles were reversed, I would do whatever I could to help her.
"Thank you, Avery," I said, pulling back. "Two words just don't seem adequate enough for what you're giving me."
"Stop," she said and wiped away the tear underneath her lash line. "If I didn't want to do this, then I wouldn't have been tested." She grabbed my hands in hers and scooted closer. "I want to do this for you, okay? I don't want you to feel like you have to say thank you all the time or that you have to try and find something to give me in return. That's not what this is about. I love you and I want to help you."
I nodded and dug my teeth into my bottom lip as I struggled to fight the tears. One day I would repay her, I just wasn't sure how yet. I'd find a way, though.
Reaching into the bag, Avery handed me something a little heavier. "This is the last one."
I unwrapped a mug and turned it around.
I got 99 problems but my new kidney ain't one.
"Oh, my God." I laughed again. "You really went to town with the kidney stuff." I smiled again, loving each gift so much. I had no idea where she’d found any of it, but it was so thoughtful and funny, and I'd cherish it forever. "I can't wait to use it."
She shrugged like it wasn't a big deal. But it was. It was a very big deal.
"Figured it was better to try and turn it into something fun rather than depressing. This is a good thing and we shouldn't be crying or sad about it." She handed me one of the matching shirts. "Put it on."
As I pulled the shirt over my head, there was a knock on the door.
"Are you expecting someone?" Avery turned to me.
I shook my head. "No."
I walked to the door and opened it.
