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.” She had introduced herself, but Steve had forgotten her name.Fortunately, she wore a gold name tag on her lapel proclaiming her Dr.Layla Sark.“You are aware, of course, that your fiancée has no health insurance.”“I can take care of her expenses.I have a good job.”Dr.Sark sighed, the sound of someone who was about to act in a manner they were not comfortable with.“Mr.Borgia, we’re not concerned about the day to day costs concerning her care.But the transplant operation is very expensive.”“I said I’d take care of it!” Steve’s eyes narrowed to slits and his hands rasped into fists.“The costs are going to be roughly seventy-five thousand.I’m sorry, I don’t see how you’re going to swing that on a teacher’s salary.”“I’ll pay it off if it takes thirty years.” Steve tried to ignore the growing knot in his belly.“I’m sorry, but hospital policy is that we have to collect half the money up front.Until we receive it, even if a donor does come through, we won’t be able to proceed.”“Are you serious? Look, I’ll get you the money.I’ll work two or even three jobs, you can cut me open and take whatever you want—”“Mr.Borgia,” she said, holding up a hand.“Please calm down.I’m on your side.”“Calm down? When you just told me I have to watch her die so you can save money? And you want me to be calm?”“I realize this is a difficult time for you.”“Oh yeah? Well, let me ask you something.Have you ever had to watch while someone you love more than anything just wasted away in front of you? Have you ever had your life, your love, your whole future just ripped right from your hands? Because if you haven’t, I don’t think you realize shit.”Steve rose to his feet, snarling at the inquisitive receptionist as he stalked past.He went to the elevator, still seething, and reached for the number nine button.His finger stalled, hovering near the switch.He turned toward a passing nun and asked her where the chapel was.Steve rode the elevator to the top floor.He crossed over the fenced-in bridge that spanned the gap between the elevator and the parking garage.Passing by a gaggle of staff who were using the eagle-eye vantage to smoke, he trudged out to the edge of the garage.Though his car was parked several floors below, he kept walking until he was standing with hands braced on the concrete, staring out over the city.It didn’t seem fair to him.So many people deserved to die.Dictators, serial killers, molesters…why did the universe decide that it was Autumn’s time? What kind of twisted logic did the celestial bureaucracy running the cosmos use to determine such things?In his despair, he briefly considered leaping over the side.It was a full ten stories down, and he had no doubt that the impact would be lethal.He felt guilty, thinking of Autumn lying in her bed, struggling to stay alive.He also thought of his father and mother, and what they might feel if he were to kill himself, and thinking about that made him even more upset.Deciding that Autumn didn’t need to know about either the problems with her transplant or his momentary weakness, he spun on his heel and strode back toward the hospital with purpose.He would put on a brave front for her.He would do anything for her.“That’s Steven’s sister?” Crawley asked from the front seat as they watched the lithesome woman make her way to the van.“Yeah,” said Phil from his spot next to her, “you met her before, at Rex’s house.”“Oh, yeah…I don’t remember her being so built.”Susan was wearing tight black yoga pants and sneakers, and had on a snug spandex top.Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and she was donning a jacket as she walked.She cut an impressive figure, both from her beauty and her fitness.“Damn,” Deathslayer said from one of the bench style seats, taking up most of it.“She looks just as pretty as her mother did.I mean, does.”Crawley and Phil shot him appreciative smiles at the jest.Perhaps because of the gravity of the situation, they were all behaving a bit silly, cracking jokes and acting boisterous.When Susan entered the vehicle, their levity seemed to annoy her.“I’m glad you’re all having fun.Meanwhile poor Steve and Autumn are going through hell.”“Uh,” said Phil, “it’s pretty obvious that you don’t even like Autumn.Why are you here exactly?”Susan glared at Phil until he cringed.“I may think Steve can do better, but I still don’t want her to die! Plus, I’m doing this mostly for Steve.Why are you here? You’re just his friend because Steve feels bad about your big brother getting killed.”“SUSAN!” said Deathslayer, his bellow filling up the cabin.“Sorry,” said Susan.“I guess I’m more upset than I thought.”“It’s all right,” said Phil, though he had a hard set to his jaw.“All right,” said Crawley.“Let’s get this show on the road!”She put the van in drive and pulled carefully into the street
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