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He was sitting at his father’s desk, using his computer to handle his business before he had to be at the hospital to meet the shrink. He’d gotten in today at two on a cancellation. Dr. Chauncey called and informed him that the board had met at eleven that morning and accepted Duke as a candidate. As soon as Vaughan finished the last leg of his testing, he’d get a date to check in to the hospital. He was starting to breathe easier. It was looking like this was going to happen. He wished he could tell Duke that everything was going to be okay, but he wouldn’t risk telling him and Duke declining the surgery because of it. As long as he didn’t know, Duke would thank god for answering his prayer and have the surgery.
He was still wondering what excuse he’d give Duke for why he wouldn’t be there by his side before he went in for the transplant. He was still debating that. Vaughan wasn’t used to lying or even omitting the truth. He believed a man should be about his word. A real man didn’t have to lie. Now, he saw the shades of gray regarding his long-held rule. Duke wasn’t a fool, but they would have to pull this off or else he’d lose the love of his life and his father would lose his best friend.
He’d had a long talk with his father that morning. They’d woken early since Vaughan had affairs to get in order and Quick was running Duke’s business. After showing his father more research, he believed he’d put him at ease. Checking his watch, he saw he had forty minutes before his appointment; being late wouldn’t look good. He wore a black and gray stripped business suit, wanting to appear professional. Duke would think he was working when he stopped by after his appointment. Grabbing the folder which he was referring to as his “donor documents,” and his wallet, he headed out the front door.
~~~
The appointment took well over two hours. It was more like an interrogation than a conversation. The doctor asked him a lot of questions that were very similar to each other. Do you believe in god? Do you believe in heaven? Do you have a god complex? Do you believe man makes his own fate or do you believe in a higher power? Vaughan knew the right answers, the wrong answers, and the answers they wanted to hear, so the latter was what he gave them.
“Well, I believe this concludes our session. Do you have any questions for me Mr. Webb?”
“Did I pass? Am I well-balanced enough to donate a kidney?”
The doctor looked up from his notes, a slight crinkle appearing next to his left eye when he smirked. “There’s no pass or fail.”
Vaughan stood and re-buttoned his Donna Karan suit jacket. The psychologist’s office was set up just like any other shrink’s, regardless that it was in the hospital. The lighting was dim and the couch and chaise lounge were positioned so the doctor could face him from his burgundy wingback chair. Gazing out the window, his stomach begin to whirl with anticipation. “You know what I mean. You know exactly what I’m asking.”
“You’re more than capable. It’s truly commendable what you’re doing.” The doctor flipped a couple pages in a manila folder and looked back up at him. “I understand you’re doing an anonymous donation.”
“Yes, I am. I don’t want the recipient to feel he owes me anything afterward. I want us to have the exact same relationship after the surgery that we had before it.”
“Of course.” The doctor stood and smoothed down his black and gray sweater vest. “Do you know what happens now, Mr. Webb? Did Dr. Chauncey explain the steps following our appointment?”
“Yes, sir. If you give me a sane bill of health, I should be contacted with a surgery date.”
“Exactly.”
Vaughan smiled. Truly smiled for the first time since the whole ordeal began. He graciously shook the doctor’s hand and headed to the bank of elevators that would take him to see Duke. While he watched the lighted numbers descend, his stomach growled angrily. Shit. When was the last time he’d eaten? Was it completely fucked that he couldn’t remember? Checking his watch, he saw it was only a half past three. A quick stop in the cafeteria wouldn’t hurt. While he waited in line to pay for his southwest chicken salad he called his father to inform him that he believed the psych eval went very well and he believed all was going to be okay. Quick was at the jail for a bond so he couldn’t talk long but he actually whooped out loud and that just amped Vaughan’s mood up to the nth degree. He made quick work of his salad, missing Duke and needing to see him.
