Page 49 of Hudson

“Lacy. Giving blood like this is a regular ongoing demand on the body,” Hudson says, eyes full of concern.

“I can do it,” I assure him before looking back at Melody. “I’m fit, young, healthy. I don’t smoke, I don’t drink a lot. I don’t do drugs.”

“Well, we can start the draw down from you almost immediately,” Melody says, smiling, clearly happy with the outcome, before Hudson cuts her off.

“Lacy, we need to talk about this…”

“I want to. I can do this.” My tone turns pleading. I need him to understand.

“Lacy, I don’t want you to put yourself at risk for me,” my mom says, also showing concern.

“There is no risk. Right, Doctor Wilkinson?” I ask, looking back at Melody. She looks from me to Hudsonand then back to me again. Her face is set in a scowl, having transformed from her smile, and I notice her gaze once again flicking down at my hand that is clutched tight in Hudson’s grasp. I swallow the slight intimidation and wait for her reply.

“The risk is minimal,” she says with a nod, giving me her approval, albeit stiffly.

“See. No risk. I want to do this for you, Mom.” Squeezing her hand, I hope she understands.

“Hudson?” My mom looks past me to the man on my left, who is holding my other hand so tight that it’s near the point of going numb.

“I would like to check your blood levels,” he says, and my shoulders tighten. I’m not used to people telling me what I can and can’t do. But I take a breath, knowing it comes from a place of worry and my stress levels lower. He cares. He cares for me a lot, and I can see it in his eyes. He’s worried for me, and for the first time in a long time, I’m comforted by the fact that someone is in my corner.

“I can do a full blood workup today, Lacy, as well, that will tell me how best to proceed,” Melody jumps in, and I nod. She’s a professional; she knows what the right and wrong ways are to go about something like this, so if she approves, then that is okay by me.

“Great. Let’s do it,” I agree instantly, wanting to get the ball rolling.

“Are you sure?” Mom asks.

“I’m sure, Mom. You and me always,” I say our little slogan, and she smiles.

“Great. Well, Lacy, let's take a little blood today so we can run some of the tests. I’ll put a rush on it and getthose results back in twenty-four hours, and then, assuming we get the all clear, we can take the first donation pretty quickly,” Melody explains, her tone curt but professional. I’m probably reading too much into it, but I get the distinct feeling she doesn’t like me.

“How soon after does the transfusion happen for Mom?” I ask, feeling excited that this is happening. For too long, we’ve been just going back and forth for basic treatments, feeling like we’re getting nowhere, and now we have a solid plan moving forward, which makes me feel more positive.

“I will assess her tests as well, but if it’s what I am thinking, we will get a few donations from you initially, and then I think what’s best is for your mom to go into the hospital for a few days to take in the transfusion. Because it’s her first one and she can have some around-the-clock care. Williamstown will be more than equipped to proceed with both the donation from you and the transfusion for your mom. Hudson, you can manage those appointments for Veronica and Lacy, can’t you?” she says, looking at Hudson, and I see him still frowning.

“Sure, we can handle all that locally.” He nods once, not seeming too keen on any of this. I squeeze his hand in mine, and he looks at me quickly. When he gives me a small, sad smile, my heart thuds. I feel an overwhelming sense of connectedness to him, and I know he feels it too. I like him taking care of things for me. It’s new, and I thought I would hate it, but having him here, wanting his opinion and taking care of me in the small ways he already has, is something that I’m coming to terms withand something that I realize that I not only cherish but also crave.

“Great. Well, I believe we are done. Lacy, let's grab some blood, and I can run those tests for you. Less worry for our local doctor here.” She smiles, but I feel a slight hint of sarcasm in her tone directed at Hudson. I ignore it. Mom’s health is the main thing and is all that matters.

25

HUDSON

Ilook at Lacy’s blood test results and frown.

“She is more than a fine candidate,” Melody says over the phone in a tone that indicates she’s agitated, while I am gripping on to the phone like it has a death wish. She flew in here yesterday, did the consult, and flew straight back out. She didn’t even have time to see Harvey after school.

“Her iron is too low… and her inflammatory markers look a little off.” I tell her the same thing I’ve been saying for the past ten minutes since I got hold of her. Lacy had her tests done and Melody put a rush on them and got them back in twenty-four hours. While Lacy is fit and healthy, her iron is a little low, her blood pressure is a little high, and I just don’t like it. Something feels off.

“Hudson, you asked me to come on board as the specialist. My recommendation is that Lacy is fit and healthy to donate and that a transfusion for Veronica is literally the only thing she hasn’t tried at this point. But let’s be honest, it may buy her a few extra months, atmost.” Melody huffs, and while most doctors have a dark sense of humor, Melody’s flippancy is somewhat annoying.

“I understand that,” I grit out. My inner turmoil about this is causing a pounding in my head.

“Great. But here is something I don’t understand…” Melody says as I run my hands through my hair for the hundredth time today.

“What’s that?” I ask, looking over Lacy’s test results again and again, not wanting to miss anything.

“It seems that you are a little too close to this situation,” Melody says, and I pause.

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