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“E.T. phone home.” Kyle said as he poked at the lighted sensor on Stan’s finger, another thing to monitor his fragile and new body.
It had been a few hours since Stan had come out of surgery. A mop of black hair laying in a hospital bed under a mess of tubes and wires. Kyle had sadly grown accustomed to this sight over the years.
Stan and Kyle had been best friends since they were very little, always had each other's backs and were inseparable. The craziest and most memorable times of their lives was fourth grade. But as they grew up something wasn’t right with Stan. He started getting sick when they entered middle school and a series of hospitalizations later they found out he had a heart condition. It was mostly managed and Stan had normal teenage years, until senior year when Stan collapsed in gym class. Kyle had been the one to do CPR until the paramedics got there and it still hurt him how close he was to losing him.
Now they were full adults. Stan should be graduating college soon like Kyle had just done. But his bad heart was taking a toll on his day to day life. He was so tired he couldn’t even get up the stairs without running out of breath. So he did it. He let his doctor put him on the transplant list.
Kyle reached over to touch Stan on the cheek, his eyes were closed and he looked so at peace. He shuddered to think that they were so close to losing him. That Kyle would be standing next to his best friend’s casket instead of his recovery bed. Stan almost gave up hope for a new heart until they finally got that call. They found him a donor heart.
The hiss of the machines that were keeping him safe as he recovered. Kyle looked both ways before lifting up the neck of Stan’s hospital gown. The long bandage down the front of his sternum, dark with blood. Insane at what modern medical technology could do. Kyle sat back and put his hand on his own stomach where a very old scar was from his own kidney transplant. How much Stan had gone through for Kyle to get his kidney, now they had that in common. Kyle would be right by his side as Stan went through recovery.
A day later Stan opened his eyes for the first time. He tried to take a deep breath but he was still intubated. Tired, he was so damn tired and numb.
“Stan?”
His head moved to the familiar voice and he felt his eyes tear up.
“Can you blink if you can hear me?” He heard on the other side of him. Slowly he shut his eyes and opened them up again, not moving from their gaze on Kyle.
Kyle smiled as he looked into Stan’s tired eyes, he watched the doctor and nurses surrounding him as they slowly and carefully woke him up after surgery. Stan’s hand jerked slightly but held fast with the restraints that kept his hands in place. Stan’s eyes widened as he tried to move, panic and confusion setting in.
“He’s not fully awake yet, relax young man don’t fight. You’re waking up after your heart transplant surgery.” Dr Taylor, Stan’s cardiologist since he was a teen, said as she went over with her team on how to calm down her agitated patient.
Stan’s eyes searched the room wildly at the sounds and sights. The lights on him were so bright. He felt someone grab his hand and wanted to fight it off, before he looked up again to see it was Kyle.
He relaxed a touch, squeezing Kyle’s hand weakly. His eyes went over to the doctors conversing at his bedside.
“Stan? You have a breathing tube in and your hands are secured until you're more awake and stable. Let us know if you’re having trouble with anything.” Dr Taylor said as nurse Isabel got her suction ready.
Stan’s eyes widened as his oxygen was disconnected and a tube was put down to suction away any debris in his breathing tube. A moment later he was extubated and coughed a few times. Kyle held his hand steady as Stan let out a gasp and Isabel put an oxygen mask over his face.
“You’re doing great, dude. Don’t worry.” Kyle said encouragingly, wincing at Stan’s coughs and wheezes.
“Okay, you’re going to have to sit up now, Stan. Go slowly on the count of three.” Isabel held her hands out to help Stan up.
Instead he grabbed the sides of his hospital bed and forced himself up, his eyes bugging out as he let out a little cry. Pain in the front of his chest and down the rest of his body. “Ow.” He said quietly before he coughed again, moaning in pain.
Dr Taylor passed over a red heart shaped pillow. “Here you go, hold this when you sit up or need to make any chest movements. It will help as your body heals. How are you feeling?”
“Like death…” Stan croaked through a dry mouth. He coughed a few times and held the heart pillow like a life preserver.
“I’m sure you were, it’s going to be a long road to recovery but I think you’ll start to see improvements and be on your way to a healthy life.” Dr Taylor says as she gently puts a stethoscope to his chest.
“How do I sound?” Stan said quietly.
“If you’re up to it, I can let you listen for yourself.” Dr Taylor said as she slipped off the stethoscope.
“Yeah, let me hear.” Stan said, nodding his head the slightest bit. A moment later the stethoscope was put in his ears and the end of the stethoscope was in his hand. Even with the rest of the room’s commotion being muffled Stan could hear his heartbeat in his ears. He hesitated, feeling anxious and weird. He had some dead guys heart now in his body, it was going to keep him alive the rest of his life. He almost died, but was given this gift and second chance.
He listened in to his own heartbeat, it was so foreign since his own heart had always been out of whack with odd rhythms. He had been throwing up since he was a kid, a silly quirk that had ended up being an underlying problem with his heart. But this heartbeat was strong and steady, saying it wouldn’t let him down.
Stan couldn’t help it, he cracked a smile as he listened to his new heart and shed a few tears as well.
Footsteps echoed down the hall as a change of shift between Stan’s loved ones happened. Wendy entered the room and briefly hugged Kyle, before getting a look at Stan asleep in bed.
“So what did the doctors say? Will he be alright?” Wendy whispered, not wanting to disturb her boyfriend.
“So far so good. The new heart is in there and his vitals have been better. Just recovery for now.” Kyle said as he yawned and gathered his things. “Text me if there’s any updates.”
“I will, thank you.” Wendy took a seat next to Stan, her hand gingerly reaching out to hold his. He took in a deep breath, twitching slightly in his sleep. Wendy had to admit he looked a lot better, not as pale and sickly. True he was bandaged from the chest up, his arms bruised from the various IVs and pokes. But he finally got his new heart, maybe…finally the life they wanted together could finally start.
Wendy stood up and planted a gentle kiss on his forehead. Stan’s eyes fluttered open, even if there were circles under them they had a bright shine to them that Wendy hadn’t seen in years.
“Hey, babe.” Stan said hoarsely as he gave her a pain med fueled smile.
“How are you feeling?” Wendy said as she touched his hair, curling the tendrils of his inky black hair with her fingertips.
“I-I don’t know. Emotional, tired, in pain, happy…so so happy.” Stan closes his eyes as he reaches a weak hand up to hold Wendy’s. “I’m sorry I scared you.”
Wendy let out a little laugh as a tear fell down her cheek. “You’ve been scaring me for years. Since we were kids. Don’t worry, I’m just happy you’re awake and have the new heart.”
A knock at the door as Dr Taylor entered again with Nurse Samatha. Stan blinked and took in more of the room he was in. He was propped up in bed and laying next to a big red heart pillow. His hands were finally untied from their restraints and he could move more. He looked at his doctor as she busied herself doing an exam on him.
“How am I doing doc?” He asked, voice still scratchy.
“We’re going to do an exam, some breathing exercises and hopefully get you moving a little more. It’ll make the healing process easier.” Dr Taylor says as Samatha starts taking Stan’s vitals.
“I don’t know if I can get out of bed. It hurts enough just sitting up.” Stan complains as he holds up an arm weakly for the nurse to check his blood pressure.
“Just a few simple tests and a little bit of moving. It’s hard but you’re going to have to do it eventually. Now excuse me while I do some wound checks.” Dr Taylor says as she reaches to check under Stan’s gown.
Wendy smiles as she sits back, trying to not let her face give her away at her own heart absolutely breaking at the sight of Stan being put through another lengthy hospital stay. Stan looked over at Wendy as the nurse helped Dr Taylor untie his gown and carefully examine the mess his chest had become. A long bandaged wound down the middle of his chest, along with a few chest tubes sticking out.
Stan looked down at himself. “Whoa, dude. Why do I have those?”
“Chest tubes to drain fluid around your heart after your surgery. If things go well you should have them out in a few days.” Dr. Taylor said as she carefully uncovered the bandages on Stan’s chest to check the wound.
“Goddamn, I was worried I had some complication. It’s looking normal so far, right? I’m always used to hearing bad news.” Stan tried to put his head down but it hurt.
“Here you go.” Wendy went to her handbag and grabbed a mirror for Stan to see himself in.
“Yourpl blood pressure and pulse are much higher than they have been in the last…well twelve years according to your chart.” Samantha said with a smile.
“So I’m going to be okay?” Stan said hopefully, his eyes meeting Wendy’s as she wiped away a tear.
“You have a long road to recovery, Stan. But for now you’re doing a lot better than before the transplant.” Dr Taylor said as she cleaned up Stan’s wound and stitches.
“Ow, fuck sorry I know you have to do this.” Stan watched himself in Wendy’s mirror at the thick line of stitches down the front of his chest along with a few other holes in there with tubes going out. He had his old heart taken out and a new one put in, it was still hard to believe. A weird thought came over him. “What did you do with my old heart?”
“Right now it’s in the pathology lab being tested and examined but after we may dispose of it or save it, if you want.” Dr Taylor said as she started to bandage Stan back up again.
Stan blinked. “Save it? Why? Does that mean…I could see it?”
Dr Taylor chuckled as she helped Stan get dressed again. “We can show it to you, if you want. But you will have to wait until pathology is done with it. It’s up to you.”
Stan nearly dropped his hand as he looked as Wendy who was busying herself putting the mirror away. “I don’t know, should I look at it Wendy?”
Wendy made a face but went to sit at his side. “It’s a little morbid but if you want to, it’s up to you.”
“Kyle would love it. I’m entertaining looking at it if Kyle isn’t around. He might be too weird about it. I’ll think about it.” Stan finally says to the doctor as she finishes up her exam.
“Very good, we’ll be back later to help you get walking again.” Dr Taylor smiles as she pats Stan gently on the shoulder.
When the doctor and nurse are both gone Stan goes to grab his heart pillow, clutching it for dear life as he looks at Wendy. “Damn, can’t believe this has happened. That all this heart condition shit it nearing the end.”
“Oh, Stan.” Wendy took his hand gently, still worried at how fragile he was. “I think it’s more of a beginning than an end. You can get better and start to live the life you want.”
“What even would that be?” Stan braced himself as he coughed a few times, pain down his new incision.
Wendy felt a little bad, hoping she wasn’t pushing anything to upset Stan. “I mean, you can do whatever you want with your life once you’re better.”
“I still have to live in the area for a year after the transplant to make sure it’s still working, can’t work, drive, do anything until they know I’ll be okay. It’s just a lot.” Stan coughs again as his eyes water. “Damn, it’s a lot. I feel so overwhelmed.”
“Of course, I’m here every step of the way. Even got a place nearby so I’m here for help if you need it.” Wendy put her hand on his arm carefully. “I have a job interview tomorrow at the mayor’s office. It’s looking good and I could use my political science degree. It’s a nice apartment, downtown South Park and a short walk to all the cool stuff this town has. I can’t wait to invite you over.”
“I can’t wait to see it. Knowing you, you'll be running that mayor’s office in a week. I’m so glad you’re back in town since I’m stuck here for a year.” Stan shakes his head as he reaches to hold her hand. “I can’t believe it, it’s done. I have a new heart.” He peeks down his gown again at the incision. “Now I have this big scar to deal with.”
Wendy smiles. “Don’t worry, chicks dig scars. I know I do, and I love you no matter what.” Her voice wavered slightly at the thought of all they had been through. “I start online classes for my masters in September. So I’ll be here for this year or longer if you need me.”
“You’re amazing and so smart. I can’t wait until I’m cleared to kiss you again. You deserve for me to take you out on a nice date. I promise.” Stan tells her earnestly as he settles more in bed and lets out a sleepy yawn.
Wendy laid her head down carefully on his side and kept hold of his hand. He smiled as ran his fingers through her long dark hair as they both drifted off.
The next day it was Sharon’s turn to be with her son in the hospital. She could remember holding Stan as a tiny baby, the complications with his birth, growing up into her rough and tumble boy. All this heart stuff had been a shock, so many times she was in sheer panic if her baby boy was going to survive. She had been dealing with her own guilt and PTSD over the years due to Stan’s sickness, maybe she hadn’t been the best mother to him when he needed her.
But she was here now, being half propped up by Shelly as the two women made their ways through the cardiac ICUs halls on their way to Stan’s room.
Shelly didn’t cry, she preferred to hide her emotions in layers of aggression. Therapy helped now that she was an adult. So did roller derby. She was twenty six now, long and lean from all the skating she did. She had just started her first big girl job, a grant writer for a local women’s homeless shelter. She never thought she would be the kind to want to help the community, but she felt like she was putting good into the world with her help. Also getting to use her writing skills she got from her double majoring in Women’s Studies and Literature. Shelly had done well for herself, considering what a mess her teen years had been. Always pushed to the side because Stan was constantly in and out of the hospital. She had moved away the first chance she got to get away from the heavy sadness of her home.
But she did cry recently, when her mom told her they found a heart for Stan. But she dare not admit it to anyone.
Sharon and Shelly entered Stan’s hospital room as he was hunched over as his nurse was removing his chest tubes. She had a tray table nearby while she worked. Stan had his eyes shut, not in pain he was well medicated. But at the sheer weirdness. He could feel things sliding around his chest.
“Just some quick stitches and then we’ll get rid of the neck tube next.” Stan’s nurse Sophie said.
Stan’s eyes opened up. “Mom? Shelly? Hi.” He said weakly.
Shelly kept a firm arm around her mom, in case Sharon would break down or run away. It wasn’t the first time her mom had freaked out about Stan. Shelly was here to check on Stan and make sure her mom was okay, but she also brought her laptop to try and get some work done.
Sharon waved as her son, a smile on her face. “Oh Stanley, I’m so happy the surgery was a success! Can I hug you?”
Stan looks at nurse Sophie who’s just finished the stitches on his chest and is bandaging him up. “You can get gentle hugs but no kisses.”
“Right.” Stan nods and puts his shaky arms up to embrace his mom. “It’s been weird but I’m happy I got my new heart. I got it mom, I can’t believe it. I know it’s a long recovery but I’m going to be okay.”
“I have your old bedroom set up for you when they release you so you can recuperate at home. I’ll make you anything you want so you can start feeling better. Anything for you.” Sharon lets out a little sob as she hugs Stan.
Shelly hung back in the room, watching her mom hug Stan. She always picked on him when they were kids, because he was so annoying. When he hit his teens years and was always deathly ill, in and out of the hospital. It was almost a bonus for Shelly, she was often sidelined since Stan had her parent’s attention. When she was a teen she had an easier time sneaking around and doing what she wanted. She was popular in high school since her dad did own a weed farm, but she never got attention from either parent. She moved away the first chance she got after high school graduation.
Stan finally broke away from his mom’s hug and gave Shelly a little wave from his hospital bed. “Hey, Shelly. Glad you were able to come visit.”
“Someone had to help drive mom.” Shelly looked at her laptop for a moment. “But I’m glad you’re feeling better. Must be weird to feel a new heart inside you.”
Stan chuckled before letting out a cough. He quickly held out a hand as Sophie passed him his heart pillow. “You need to do your breathing exercises three times a day and we need to get you walking soon.” The nurse tells him sympathically.
“I know.” Stan choked out as Sharon went to pour him some water.
“Here Stanley, take a drink and relax. You have plenty of time to run around, get your rest and feel better.” Sharon hands Stan the cup with a straw and puts a comforting hand on his back as he takes a drink.
Stan sips from the straw to clear his throat. After a moment he looks around the room at his mom and sister. Honestly he was shocked Shelly even wanted to come, it was probably out of loyalty to their mom. “Thank you, mom.” He says weakly.
Shelly tries to not roll her eyes as she opens up her laptop to look over the latest grant proposal she was writing for work. Stan and Sharon chat pleasantly for a few moments before Stan’s nurse Sophie comes back into the room.
“Okay, Stanley. I got orders from Dr. Taylor and we’re going to help you get out of bed and do a little walking.” Sophie instructs him as she goes to her bedside.
Stan looks at his mom, who has a hand to her mouth. “I thought I would walk when I was ready. I’m a little nervous.”
“You need to start walking as soon as possible to get your body moving and healing again. Your vitals are really good and we’ll be right here if anything goes wrong.” Sophie says as she starts to unhook Stan’s machines and pull back his blankets.
“I don’t know, I don’t want anything to go wrong. So much already has.” Panic starts to set in as he sees his mother shrink back and her eyes fill with tears.
“Mom, don’t cry please.” Stan makes a move to sit up in bed and lets out a cry in shock as the pain radiates down his chest where his fresh surgery wound is. “I don’t know if I can do it.” He tells Sophie, his own voice wavering.
“Oh you stupid turd.” Shelly is at his side in an instant and he feels her strong arms around him to sit him up. It hurt, but he was sitting up in bed now. He clutches his chest and looks at his sister.
“Who knew we used so many chest muscles to just sit up.” He said as he wiped his watery eyes.
“You’re not going to cry and feel sorry for yourself after all this, turd. Let’s get you out of bed and walking. No sniveling!” Shelly says as she puts an arm around his back to help him fully up and swings his legs over the side of the bed.
“Please Shelly, don't be rough with your brother.” Sharon said from the side of the room, a wad of tissues balled in her hand.
“No she’s right, mom. If I’m going to beat this if I need to fight. My heart tried to kill me so a short walk around the hospital should be a piece of cake.” Stan slowly leaned his weight forward and stepped gingerly on the floor. He started to tilt to the side but Shelly held firm.
“I got you. You’re not gonna get knocked on your ass unless I’m doing it.” Shelly said with a little smirk. “Start walking.”
Stan rolled his eyes but took an unsteady step forward. His body felt heavy and he was scared to lose his balance again. He stepped a foot forward, legs like spaghetti but he kept hold to Shelly’s arm as he took a few more steps. “Is it okay for me to go with the machines?” He asks Sophie.
“Yes, I will supervise your vitals as you walk. You’re doing a good job so far.” Sophie says as she wheels Stan’s machines and IVs behind him.
Stan looks at Shelly, she was shorter than him but athletic and strong. She held steady as Stan clutched her arm taking small slow steps as he started to cross the hospital room and out into the hall. Sharon appeared on his other side, his mom smaller and more frail. Stan hated all the stress he put her under with his constant health problems.
“I’m sorry, mom.” He finally said as the started to pace the halls.
“Hm? Sorry for what, Stanley?” Sharon holds Stan’s other arm as he makes slow steps in the hall.
“For worrying you, for not always having the best health choices, for giving you PTSD.” Stan stops as Shelly keeps her arms around him.
Sharon looks at her son. “Stanley, none of that is your fault. Just something you were born with. I blame myself more for not recognizing something was wrong with you earlier.” Her eyes start to water as she stops to look at him in the hall. “I’m just so happy you’re getting better.”
Stan sniffed too, pulling his sleeve up to wipe his nose. “Thanks for not giving up on me, you too Shelly. Thank you both.”
Shelly stepped back, letting Stan go. “I didn’t do anything. This was all you, Stan.”
Stan almost swayed but steadied himself. “I know it couldn’t have been easy growing up with me. You had your own needs and I took the attention away because I was sick. I’m sorry.”
Shelly balled her fists up and looked away. Her own mind telling her to fight back and tell Stan to fuck off. That he was stupid and she didn’t care that he lived or died. But seeing him so earnest in front of her, apologizing to her, she could let the hurt start to slide away.
“It’s not your fault, sorry I was so tough on you when we were kids. Glad you’re going to be okay.” She patted him on the shoulder gently before grabbing his arm. “Come on, we have to get you walking and you should do a lap around the hall.”
Stan was asleep in bed when the next nurse, Lana came in to check on him. She touched the stethoscope to his chest making him jump as his eyes opened up.
“Sorry about that. How are you feeling today, Stan?” Lana said as she took down his vitals.
“You know, it’s been a few days but I’m starting to feel more human. Like I’m accepting what happened and getting used to the new heart…I’m my new heart.” Stan shifts uncomfortably in bed.
“That’s really good to hear, you need acceptance as part of the transplant process. I’m going to take some blood now and we’ll go over your medications.” Lana starts to tie his arm off and get her needle ready.
“Uh huh, what’s that going to be?” Stan watches her get the needle ready as she prepares to take his blood.
“We’re going to get labs of how your body is adjusting to the new heart and start you on a regimen for anti rejection and immunosuppressants. Small poke.” Lana sticks the needle in Stan’s arm and he groans and squeezes his eyes shut.
“Great more pills to worry about.” Stan mumbles under his breath as he watches Lana draw several vials of blood from his arm. She wraps a bandage on it and Stan rubs his arm as he settles back under the covers of his hospital bed.
He awoke at the sound of someone sitting in the chair next to his bed. He yawned and rubbed his eyes, not even realizing he fell asleep to see Kenny sitting down and playing with his phone.
“Hey, dude.” Stan said groggily.
Kenny perked up at Stan’s voice. “Hey, yourself. How does it feel to be back from the dead?”
“Like ass, no idea how you do it.” Stan sat up now, still in pain but hugging the heart pillow so it was easier to get up now.
“Well when I die, I come back in one piece. I don’t have to worry about healing and recovery and all that. But I know it hurts, I’m here to cheer you up and help however I can.” Kenny leaned over the chair to get closer to Stan. “Anything I can do to make you feel more comfortable?”
Stan keeps hold of the pillow as he fully sits up and shakes his head. “I just need to get better, everything else is taken care of. Meds, food, pain management. It’s just a lot, I still can’t believe it. I do want your opinion on something.”
“Sure, anything dude.” Kenny sits up straight as something comes over him. “When you were unconscious did you go back? You know what I’m talking about.”
Stan shuts his eyes, exhaling softly. “I think so, it’s not like I fully remember considering all I’ve gone through. I think I talked to my donor, thanked him for what he did. Death is a hard sacrifice to make. You know how it is, Kenny. He’s not coming back, but I thanked him.”
Kenny goes to hold Stan’s hand. “That’s a very nice thing to do, I’m sure he appreciates it and is happy he helped save your life. I’ll keep an eye on him, did you know what direction he went?”
Stan shook his head. “He just waved and disappeared into the violet haze. But if you do find him, I’d like to know how he’s adjusting. That I’m forever grateful to him, we would’ve been friends if circumstances were different.” He patted his chest gently and shut his eyes, another silent thank you to his donor for the extra time, and new lease on life that Stan was given.
Kyle walked through the halls of the hospital, pulling at his coat against the cold sterile hospital air. He passed a familiar face in the hallway.
“Mr. Marsh?” Kyle asked.
Randy looked up from where he was seated, edibles he took that morning were kicking in. “Hey, Kyle. How’s Stan? I haven’t gotten the chance to see him yet.”
“He’s healing but doing a lot better. He looks better and the doctors say his vitals are normal for once.” Kyle’s smile disappears as he goes to look out the window Randy is facing. “Why haven’t you seen Stan yet?”
Randy put a hand on the back of his neck as his face got pink. “I just felt like I’d be in the way. Stan would probably get annoyed with me there. He’s my son and I care. I’m really happy he got his transplant and is okay now, but I wanted to give him a few days.”
“Yeah, he will be okay with lots of work and support. We need to be there for him. You included. You and Stan might not have the closest relationship, but he’ll want to see you. Promise. I’ll go with you if you need a backup.” Kyle put a hand on Randy’s shoulder as they both gazed at the scenery outside.
Dr Taylor walked down the hall with the on shift nurse, Eliza. She’s pushing a little cart that’s covered as she heads over to Stan’s room.
Kenny and Stan are playing a game of trivia off Kenny’s phone when they both look up expectantly as Dr Taylor enters.
Stan pushes himself up in bed, grimacing once again but curious what’s on the table in front of them. “Hi.” He says softly.
“Hi Stanley, we're here for your checkup and have something to show you.” Dr Taylor busies herself with her stethoscope and marking down vitals as Eliza hands Stan a little cup of pills.
“These are the start of your anti rejection drugs, you’ll take these twice a day every twelve hours from now on.” Eliza handed the cup over.
Stan looked down and counted four pills in front of him. He was no stranger to medicine after all he had been dealing with a heart condition for the last ten years, but it felt horrible to have even more added to the arsenal of drugs he took. Eliza handed him a bottle of water and Stan carefully tipped his head back and tossed the pills in his mouth, trying to focus on all the information Dr. Taylor was telling him. The words were a blur as he felt the doctor’s hands on him for the wound check and exam, his eyes fell to the table in the corner of the room.
“What’s on the cart?” He finally asked again.
“You signed that paper because you wanted to save your heart after it was examined by pathology. Well, the initial tests are done and your old heart is under that cloth so you can take a look at it, when you’re ready of course.” Dr Taylor explains as she puts a stethoscope on Stan’s chest.
Stan sits up more in bed, his body suddenly tense. He looks over at Kenny who shrugs as he pulls his strings tighter. “I-I guess I’m ready to look at it. This is so weird.”
“Only if you want to, Stan. We don’t want to upset you.” Dr Taylor hesitates.
Stan swallowed the lump that formed in his throat. “No, I want to. I’m ready.”
Dr. Taylor nodded as Eliza removed the cover to reveal a glass jar with something floating in liquid before Stan. He leaned over the bed to take a good look. The lump of flesh and muscle that sat before Stan, what had almost killed him multiple times over. It was bigger and more worn out than a typical heart, it looked so sad.
“Wow, damn. I can’t believe it’s over now.” Stan puts a hand to his chest as he stares at his old heart in the jar. Tears poured out as he let years worth of emotion wash over him.
A knock at the door later breaks Stan out of his trance as he sees Kyle and his dad in the doorway. Kyle’s eyes go wide as he looks at the heavy scene in front of them. “Are we interrupting anything?”
“No.” Stan sniffs and wipes his eyes. “Just looking at my diseased heart in a jar and feeling grateful it’s not going to try and kill me anymore.”
Kyle looks now, fascinated. “Whoa, looks so weird. This is surreal.”
“Tell me about it.” Kenny pulled the strings of his hoodie as all three boys looked at the jar. “So what are you going to do with it?”
“Nothing! I mean, don’t know dude. What do you do with an organ that’s failed you half your life?” Stan pinches the bridge of his nose.
Randy stares at the glass jar and thinks for a moment, years of his son being sick and now it’s come to this. He smiles. “I may have an idea.”
A month later, Stan had gathered with his loved ones next to the large blue spruce tree on his father’s farm. A warm breeze fluttered around the group as clouds lazily hovered above. He had finally been let out of the hospital but it was far from over even if he had the new heart. He had to be close by for a least a year for follow up appointments and physical therapy to eventually get well enough to live a normal life again. Stan craved normalcy more than anything right now.
The metallic sound of shovels digging into the soft earth as Stan watched Kyle and Kenny dig a hole. Beyond the flowering cherry tree was Sparky’s grave, a friend Stan missed dearly.
In a way they were holding a funeral, maybe it was a little too morbid for his poor mom. But Stan knew he needed closure for that chapter of his life. His teen years, wasting away in hospitals and begging for a cure. Well it finally happened and here we was with his loved ones, prepared to let the past go.
His family gathered around as Stan held the jar in his hands, looking down disgusted at the organ that caused him so much suffering. He should be sick and want to throw up at the sight of it. Instead he cleared his throat and stood next to the tree. “I want to thank you all for coming, I wouldn’t exactly call this a funeral but it’s a goodbye.”
Stan looked up to see his mother crying. Shelly puts an arm around Sharon to comfort her. His dad, uncle Jimbo and Ned shared some beers as they stood near the back of the group. Wendy stood with a little reassuring smile on her face even if her own eyes were wet. Kenny and Kyle stood by as well, Kenny with his arms crossed but smirking and Kyle’s face set and stony, probably also contemplating Stan’s mortality. He owed them everything.
“I was so active as a kid, always going on crazy adventures as my friends can attest to.” Stan continued as he smiled at Kyle and Kenny. “But as a teen I started to get sick, and worse as the years went on. There were times I wasn’t sure if I would make it.” He looks down at the jar in his hands. “I want to thank you all for not giving up on me, even when I wanted to give up on myself. I owe my life to you all, you saved my life. All of you.”
Stan sniffs and wipes his eye, he didn’t want to fully break down in front of all these people. “I feel like once I bury my old heart, my lost hopes and dreams will sprout from where it came. I lost my teen years and I want to make up for it in my twenties. Thank you.”
His cheeks are red as he looks one last time at the tired grey thing from his chest that hurt him so, before carefully putting it in the hole. He couldn’t pick up the shovel to bury it, health restrictions. But he grabbed a handful of dirt to start the process to bury it and say goodbye. He had a full life to live with the beautiful second chance he had been gifted.