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I have another reason for writing. Had you come to my house, I would’ve told you about my own health issues, one that you probably should’ve known about, but is really no consequence to you now. I have a rare liver disorder that may or may not be degenerative and had hoped that by finding my sister, we’d be able to test to see if you are a match for a partial donation. Even though you’re out there, living your best life, would you be willing to have a biopsy done at one of the Mayo Clinics? I know it’s a lot to ask, especially with everything you’re going through, and I understand if you’re not comfortable. I don’t even know if this is possible now with what you’re going through. But, if you are, please let me know and I’ll set everything up.
If I don’t hear from you, know this: meeting my big sister was a dream come true for me. Thank you for bringing yourself to me.
With love,
Courtney
Kent read the email and then set his phone down. Palmer wiped away the tears that had fallen. “She’s sick.”
“Yeah,” Kent said. “What do you want to do?”
Palmer sat there and pondered, while Kent looked up the nearest Mayo Clinic on his phone. Even though he’d asked Palmer what she wanted to do, he knew where they were going. “We can be there in about five hours, depending on traffic.”
“I should email her back, right?”
Kent handed Palmer his phone and went to pack their things. Palmer sent Courtney a voice memo telling her they would drive to the clinic today, if she could set up the appointment. It wasn’t like time was on their side, especially if Courtney needed this from Palmer.
As they made their way to their car, Kent became irritated, which was irrational to him. It wasn’t that they had plans, but he had plans with his wife. He felt stuck in a difficult situation. Kent would do anything to make Palmer happy, but he wanted time alone with her, and being in the car for five hours and sitting in a hospital while she got a biopsy wasn’t what he had in mind. On the other end of things, Palmer’s sister, the only living relative she knew, regardless of how long, needed something from her, and Kent knew how much Palmer wanted to be needed.
They drove in silence until he turned off the highway.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“We’re still on our honeymoon, and I want to show you Hoover Dam.”
Palmer lit up. “That’s not on the list. I’ll add it.” She took her journal out of her bag and jotted something down. Again, Kent found himself trying to see what she wrote, but his wife had angled herself in such a way that he couldn’t see. Curiosity was about to do him in, though. He wondered if she’d written about him and their wedding night. The thought brought a smile to his face.
“Why are you smiling like that?”
“Just thinking back to last night.” He winked. “I’m glad I didn’t go all caveman and rip your nightgown off because I like the idea of you wearing it again tonight, and tomorrow, and the next night, and so on.”
Palmer leaned her head on Kent’s shoulder and closed her eyes. He kept his arm there as he navigated through town to get to the dam. He was certain she’d fallen asleep and wouldn’t normally wake her, but he wanted her to experience the dam. They had come all the way to Nevada, and it was a must-visit place.
Kent pulled into the parking garage and found a spot nearest the elevator. Palmer didn’t wake right away, which Kent found odd. Earlier, he’d chalked up her inability to wake up to tiredness from the previous day, but they had only been in the car for forty minutes. To him, she should’ve woken right up. He refused to believe she was anything but tired.
She finally opened her eyes and looked around. Kent reminded her where they were, and it took a moment for their stop to fully register with her. He helped her out of the Jeep and held her arm until she sat down in her chair.
“What do you know about the Hoover Dam?” he asked as they took the elevator down one flight. The sun blazed outside, and he kicked himself for not bringing her some water or a hat. He’d make this trip quick because he had a feeling if they went back to the car, she’d want to leave.
Palmer recited every historical fact about the dam, and even knew things he didn’t. He was impressed. They started on the side that held Lake Mead back and marveled at the water. The depth of the valley, the water lines, and the rich blue-green color. Kent hopped from Nevada to Arizona multiple times, while Palmer laughed at him. On the other side, Kent encouraged Palmer to lean forward, but the wind current fought her. She gasped for air, and then did it again.
