“What are you arranging?”
I teased him about it.
Mark leaned back against the pillows.
“Something I need to handle.”
“Without me?”
“Yes. But it’s for you.”
I stared at him.
“That’s somehow worse.”
“Something I need to handle.”
A faint smile touched his mouth.
“Please trust me.”
“I do trust you.”
“Then let me do this one thing myself.”
I nodded.
When Dr. Rivers closed the door, I stayed in the hallway longer than I meant to.
“Please trust me.”
I hated not knowing.
Still, I let him keep the secret.
***
Mark died on a rainy Tuesday with my hand wrapped around his.
Afterward, the donation team explained what depended on medical suitability. I answered questions and signed what needed signing.
Still, I let him keep the secret.
Whenever someone asked about Mark’s wishes, I gave the same answer.
“Yes. This is what he wanted.”
Then Dr. Rivers stopped me in the hallway.
