This choice: William Carson, a 13 year old with a single dad. • Go Back...Chapter #4William Carson, a 13 year old with a single dad. by: fantaghiro   "... just a kid," you stuttered in shock as you saw a cute, young sandy-haired, blue-eye boy in the mirror.
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Pam clasped your hands tightly. "I know, Steve, I can still hardly believe it's true. The boy - William - was only 13. They said he just collapsed yesterday - an aneurysm. I guess. The timing was perfect for you, though - a healthy body suddenly becoming available."
"But I've never heard of anything like this," you protested. "How is it even possible?"
Pam frowned slightly. "Well, from what I understand, this 'Doctor Kerry' went a little far. He'd been experimenting with but didn't have approval for this kind of surgery. It put the hospital - and us - in a complictated position."
You blinked in confusion. "Complicated? What's going on, Pam?" you asked.
"You're fine!" she rushed to assure you. "Physically you're doing great. The doctors don't plan to keep you here long. It's all the other stuff." She looked away for a momment and closed her eyes, then turned back to face you. "You see, first of all, William's father only agreed for his son to be an organ donor. He didn't
understand the extent of what Dr. Kerry planned. It's taken quite a bit to get him to accept this. And..." she paused for a moment, "...well, the hospital declared Steve Meadows dead. All the records show that you're Will Carson." Her face reddened in shame. "And I let them convince me to go along with it."
"What?" you almost shouted. "Why? How could you do that?"
She stiffened. "Honestly Steve, I didn't have much choice. You were supposedly dead. I could have tried to raise a stink - but the only way to do that would have brought ALOT of attention. Would you want to spend the rest of our lives as tabloid news? Or even worse, as some kind of 'lab rat' for medical study?" She shook her head. "I didn't like it but they were right. The safest option was to agree that Steve died but William lived."
Her explanation only mollified you a little - but the more you thought about it, the more you could see her point.
"And Steve, I did pressure them some. They agreed to a settlement - almost 2 million dollars! Supposedly it's for some questions regarding your treatment."
You laugh bitterly and turned away. "Well, that's actually true, I guess."
She gently grabbed your head and turned it back to face her. "Steve, this is alot to take in. But you're alive! And believe me, that's a miracle. I saw you when they brought you in. I ...I just knew that I had lost you," she said, breaking into sobs.
Her tears immediately calmed you. You pulled her into an embrace, saying "Shh....I'm okay now, it's fine. You're right, I'm alive and healthy and that's what's important. Everything else will sort itself out."
The two of you held each other for a long time until you were interrupted by Doctor Saunders. He introduced himself and gave you a once over. Seemingly satisified with your condition, he gave you a chance to ask him questions. Basically he just reiterated what your wife had already told you, adding in more medical jargon.
He paused when you finished your questions. "Uh, I assume your wife has explained the legal circumstances?" he asked hesitatingly.
"Yes," you sighed in resignation. "Apparently 'I' am dead, right? So what's supposed to happen now? Who am I? William? What about his family?"
His eyes nervously shift back and forth between you and Pam. "Well, legally you ARE William Carson. Fortunately his father - Michael- has agreed to keep quiet about all this as well. But you do understand that means taking over William's life? Living with his father?"
You stared at him. "Surely you don't expect me to just give up my home and my wife?" you asked in a rising tone.
"I'm afraid that's the only option. Would you rather have died?" he said bluntly, taking the wind out of your sails.
You hung your head. "No, of course not," you answered sullenly. But what about Pam?"
Your wife interjected. "I've been talking to Michael and we're going to work something out, don't worry. He's surprisingly understanding. And he's been waiting to meet you."
"Really?" you asked in amazement. "Isn't he uncomfortable with me... you know, being in his son's body?"
She smiled sadly. "He's suffered a great loss, Steve, that's true. And in the face of that, he was willing to donate his son to save your life - even if it was a much bigger sacrifice than he imagined. Give him a chance - I think you'll like him."
"Okay..." you nodded. While you still felt in a daze trying to process everything you'd just learned, you had to admit that you had it better than Michael. Apparently you had to give up your identify but at least you were still alive. This guy's son had died - you couldn't quite imagine that level of loss.
"I guess I'm ready," you added.
Dr. Saunders opened the door to motion in Michael. He was tall and slim, looking much like an older version of William. He approached you cautiously, as if he weren't certain how to act. You were immediately struck by the look of grief and love in his eyes when he saw you. "Of course, he sees his son when he looks at me," you said to yourself, and vowed to make an effort to befriend this man.   indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
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