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“Good afternoon Mr. Morgan. It appeared you slept better last night. I came in a few times and you never woke while I checked your vitals.”
Duke nodded his head. If she calls that sleeping good, then okay. Judge was standing over by the window, trying to stay out of the way while the nurse did what she had to do. Duke remembered her from yesterday. She must work the morning shift. Kathy, he thought. Yes, her name is Kathy. Her scrubs were bright pink and blue and her honey-blonde hair was pulled back neatly and pinned up with a shiny butterfly clip. She was pretty and sweet, as were most of the nurses he’d encountered the last couple days.
She finished with her notes and pulled Duke’s tray closer to him. “It’ll make you feel better if you eat a little, Mr. Morgan. This is chicken soup and in this container is Jell-O.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“You need to keep your strength up, Mr. Morgan.” She smiled sadly.
Duke was wondering what the point was. Keep up his strength. Why? He wasn’t doing dialysis for years on end. He was accepting his fate. He refused to live miserably for the next four or five years, not working the job he’d done since he was a teen, and being a burden to his few friends, while he waited on a too-long list for a kidney that might never come. No way.
“Just a few sips of soup, please,” Nurse Kathy said softly.
“No thank you,” Duke grumbled, turning away from her, barely controlling the cry of pain that escaped without permission.
“He’ll eat it,” Judge growled. “Leave it.”
Nurse Kathy’s eyes widened slightly when Judge walked back over to Duke. Judge was a large and intimidating man, especially when he wore black from head to toe. Kathy was probably afraid for Duke but she released the tray and quickly left the room.
Judge didn’t say a word as he lifted the lid off the bowl and unwrapped the spoon from the napkin. He used the buttons on the remote control and inclined Duke until he winced. He couldn’t sit up too far without his ribs angrily protesting. Judge dropped the guardrail and somehow gingerly sat his large frame beside him. Judge picked up the bowl—his massive hands making it appear small—dipped the spoon into the broth and slowly put it to Duke’s lips. He knew it wasn’t an option not to open his mouth. He parted his dry lips and Judge gently eased the spoon in and let the lukewarm broth settle on his tongue before sliding soothingly down his parched throat. It tasted like comfort. It was bland and cooling quickly but the way it was being delivered made it perfect. Judge dipped the spoon again, repeating the same gesture. When Duke opened again, Judge smiled slightly, giving him an appreciative wink. Thank god for his friends. He wasn’t going to die alone. Before he knew it, he’d eaten all the soup and the Jell-O, fed to him by his friend. Judge took the cloth napkin and wet it with warm tap water to clean Duke’s mouth and chin of the few drops that got away.
Judge pushed the tray away and put the bed’s rail back in place. “Don’t starve yourself Duke. This is hard enough without… without….” Judge turned away from him. Duke could see the tension and strain in Judge’s back.
“I’m sorry,” Duke whispered.
Judge turned back around, his onyx-colored eyes were glossy as they locked in on Duke’s own. He picked up Duke’s hand and kissed his palm before placing it back down. Judge’s voice was rough and husky. “I gotta go, Duke.”
“I know,” Duke said, just as quietly.
“I’ll be back real soon.”
“Judge.” Duke mustered the strength to say what had to be said. “Nothing changed regarding the business.”
“Duke.” Judge sighed. Shaking his head miserably. “Not now.”
“After we called it quits. I never changed anything with my lawyer. You and Quick will own my businesses. You are joint owners, fifty-fifty.”
Judge leaned in and kissed Duke’s forehead, his lips lingering against the damp skin there. Duke hadn’t realized his was sweating because he had chill bumps all over. He shivered in Judge’s presence, remembering what it felt like to be touched and handled by him. Judge placed his thick palm on Duke’s bruised cheek, careful not to hurt him. “Rest. I’ll be back soon.” Judge left, not commenting on Duke’s confession. Judge and Quick were the first ones there when Duke started his business. They loved and bleed for his company, leaving it to them was the best and most logical thing for him to do.
“Thank you so much Mr. Roland. I really appreciate it. I will be in the hospital for a couple days and then post-op recovery time is estimated to be three to four weeks… Yes, sir… I can still provide some assistance with cases… No, sir… I can research case law and submit information via email… Thank you, sir. Yes, this was unexpected, but I’m just thankful that my job will still be here after all this is done. Yes, sir. Thank you again. I’ll be in touch.” Vaughan hung up the phone. He felt another gust of relief. He hadn’t even officially started the job yet and already he was taking medical leave. He told his boss a version of the truth. That he was donating a kidney, but to a family member on his mother’s side. There was no reason for him to disclose exactly what his situation was. He’d save his man’s life and get to work as soon as he could.
