My Husband Became an Organ Donor – His Doctor Stopped Me in the Hospital Hallway and Said, ‘There’s Something He Made Me Promise Not to Give You Until Now’

***

At home that night, I opened the envelope.

Inside was a flash drive and a folded note.

“Yes. This is what he wanted.”

“Please don’t watch this because you miss me.

Watch it if somebody makes you doubt me, Sally.

And more importantly, if someone makes you doubt yourself.”

I read it twice.

“You’re dead,” I told the note. “You don’t get to give instructions anymore.”

Cecelia kicked hard under my ribs.

“Watch it if somebody makes you doubt me, Sally.”

I looked down.

“Your father is annoying me from beyond the grave. He deserved that kick.”

I put the flash drive away.

***

Two days later, Violet came over.

I found her in Cecelia’s nursery refolding a pink blanket.

“He deserved that kick.”

“Violet.”

“Did they take everything?”

I stopped in the doorway.

“What?”

“From Mark.”

“They’ll only use what can be donated.”

“Did they take everything?”