Mr. Bauer?
Yes?
This is Dr. Shelley Stannis. Im with the oncology transplant department here at St. Beas.
A light came on for TJ. Is this about a bone marrow donation?
Yes, it is. Thank you for calling back so quickly. Obviously, I got your information from the registry. We have a young leukemia patient here who is a potential match with you. If youre available, Id like to set up a consultation and possibly final testing.
How old? It was the first question that came to TJs mind.
Hes nine years old, she said.
TJ didnt hesitate. When do you need me?
Are you saying youre willing to donate?
Absolutely.
Do you have any questions?
Im sure I will, although not right now. Im in Boston. But I can come back.
There was a pause on the line. If its possible, Mr. Bauer, wed like to do the tests tomorrow. As you can imagine, we have a very anxious mother hoping youll turn out to be a close enough match.
Ill be there. And please, call me TJ.
Thank you very much, TJ.
Of course. Ill see you tomorrow. He ended the call.
Everything okay? Matt had appeared beside him.
Fine. Hopefully very fine. I may be a bone marrow match for a nine-year-old boy in Seattle.
It seemed to take Matt a moment to process the statement.
I really hate to cut out on you, TJ said.
Go! Matt said, making a shooing motion with his hands. Go, save a life.
TJ could feel his adrenaline come up with purpose. His next call was to a jet charter company hed used in the past.
He didnt want to fight for a seat on a red-eye when a young boy and his mother were waiting. And he could afford to fly privately. There were moments in life when it came in handy to be a ridiculously wealthy man.
* * *
As she followed the wide corridor at St. Beas Hospital, Sage Costass heels echoed against the polished linoleum. Her stomach churned as it had for the past nine days while her son, Eli, had undergone a battery of tests and been diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia. The closer she came to the family lounge, the harder her heart pounded. She found herself wondering how much stress the human body could endure before it simply shut down.
Shed barely slept all week, hadnt slept at all last night. Shed forced herself to shower this morning and put on a little makeup. She didnt know why she thought makeup might help. But she wanted to make a good impression. She was terrified the donor would back out.
She could see him now. Through the lounge windows, she could see a tall, dark-haired, smartly dressed man talking to Dr. Stannis. He had to be the donor.
Her steps slowed, and she swallowed. Then she stopped at the closed door. It was more than she could do to push the handle. Shed prayed desperately for this moment. So much was at stake. She wasnt sure she could face it if the process fell apart.
She forced herself to open the door and step inside the lounge.
Dr. Stannis immediately spotted her. Hello, Sage.
The man turned. His expression was instant bewilderment. Sage?
Her world tipped on its axis.
Is that you? he asked, stepping forward.
A roar came up in her ears. Her vision switched to black and white, then tunneled down to a pinhole.
Sage? Dr. Stannis moved quickly, taking her by the arm.
Sages brain pulsed a million miles an hour. The room swayed for a moment, until her vision cleared.
He was still standing there.
Im fine, she managed to say around the lingering noise inside her head.
Have you met TJ Bauer? Dr. Stannis asked with obvious curiosity.
We went to the same high school. Her voice was little more than a squeak.
How could this be happening?
Its your son whos sick? TJs expression was filled with concern. Im so sorry, Sage.
Then his forehead creased, and she could all but see the calculations going on inside his head.
He turned to the doctor. You said he was nine?
Yes.
TJ twisted slowly back to Sage, his words carefully enunciated. And Im a likely bone marrow match for him?
Sage tried to swallow again, but her throat had gone paper dry.
TJs eyes shifted from blue to gray thunder. Is he my son?
The doctor went still. The entire world went still. The ventilation system clicked against the booming silence.
All Sage could manage was a nod.
Dr. Stanniss grip firmed up on Sages arm. Perhaps we should sit down.
I have a son? TJ asked, his voice hoarse. You got pregnant?
Sage tried to speak. She managed to move her lips, but no sounds came out.
TJ wasnt having the same problem. And you didnt tell me?
Dr. Stannis jumped in. I think it would be best if we all
Bitterness suddenly broke through Sages fear. She found her voice, all but shouting. You didnt deserve to know.
Sage. Dr. Stanniss tone was shocked and sharp.
Sage immediately realized her mistake.
They were dependent on TJ. Elis life depended on this mans good graces, this man who had deceived her, lied to her and taken shameless advantage of her teenage naïveté as a prank to amuse his friends.
She hated him. But he was the one person who could save her sons life.
Im sorry, she said, trying desperately to put some sincerity into her tone.
Judging by his expression, she hadnt pulled it off.
Please dont... Her stomach cramped up. Please dont take it out on Eli.
He looked completely dumbfounded. Then he swore under his breath. You actually think Id harm a little boy...my own son He seemed to gather himself. You think Id let my anger with you impact my decision to donate? What kind of a man do you think I am?
She didnt know what kind of a man he was. She knew what kind of a teenager hed been back thenunscrupulous and self-centered. She had no reason to assume hed changed.
I dont know. She forced the words out.
Well, know, he said. He looked to Dr. Stannis again. How soon will we be sure Im a close enough match?
A few days, she said. But given the genetic connection, Im even more optimistic.
Its a stroke of luck, TJ said flatly.
Sage couldnt begin to guess at the emotion behind those words.
Dr. Stannis moved to look her directly in the eyes. Are you sure youre all right?
Im fine. For the moment, she was fine.
TJ was going to help them. Theyd figure out the rest later. For now, the bone marrow transplant was all that mattered.
The doctor stepped back. Ill give the two of you some time to talk.
With a final assessment of Sages expression, she left the lounge.
Sage had no idea what to say next, and the seconds ticked past.
When TJ finally spoke, there was contained fury in his tone. Im not going to ask you how you could have done something so horrible.
Me? Sage could barely believe hed said it. You were there. You know exactly what happened between us.
He waved a dismissive hand. That was a stupid stunt by an ignorant kid. Weve grown up since then. Youve known about this for a decade.
He waved a dismissive hand. That was a stupid stunt by an ignorant kid. Weve grown up since then. Youve known about this for a decade.
You were a shallow, self-centered jerk.
He squared his shoulders and set his square jaw. I dont want to fight with you, Sage. This conversation can wait. Right now, I want to meet my son.
Sage staggered and reached to an armchair for support. No.
What do you mean no? No is no longer an option for you.
She struggled for the right words. You cant tell him, TJ. Not now. Not while hes so sick. She stretched her arm expansively toward the door to the rest of the hospital. Theres no way we can expect him to absorb news like that in the middle of all this.
TJ seemed to consider her words. His expression lost its hard edge. I need to meet him, Sage. We dont have to tell him Im his father, at least not right away. But Im going to meet him, and Im not waiting another minute.
Sage decided she could live with that. Okay.
His name is Eli?
Yes. Eli Thomas Costas.
TJ didnt react to the name. He walked over to the lounge door and pulled it open, holding it for her. Take me to my son.
* * *
Whoa, whoa, back up, back up, Matt said to TJ. You say hes nine years old?
It was in high school, TJ responded.
There was an open beer on the wide arm of his wooden deck chair on Matts Whiskey Bay Marina sundeck, but TJ had no interest in drinking it.
So, before you met Lauren, Caleb said.
The three men were sitting around the gas fire pit, but it was early on a June evening, so they hadnt bothered lighting it.
I didnt cheat on Lauren. TJs tone was hard.
Im just getting the time line straight.
It was a one-night thing. At prom. We danced.
TJ didnt want to own up to participating in the foolish prank that had led him to ask nerdy brainiac Sage Costas to dance with him that night. At least not until he had to. And he hoped that was never.
And she never told you about the baby? Matt asked.
I assume thats rhetorical, TJ replied.
If Sage had told him about Eli, TJ would have moved heaven and earth to have a relationship with his son. TJs own father had walked out before TJ was born, and there was no way hed do that to a child of his own.
Whats he like? Caleb asked, his tone dropping.
TJs mind went back to the sleepy boy in the stark hospital bed. Hes a great-looking kid.
Eli had been too tired to do much but say hello.
Like his dad? Matt joked.
TJ would be lying if he said he hadnt seen some of himself in Eli. He didnt think he was imagining it.
If hes got his mothers brains, the world better watch out. As he said the words, TJ realized they were entirely true. From a genetic perspective, Eli had a fantastic mother. Back in high school, Sage was voted most likely to save the world or become president.
When are you going to tell him? Matt asked.
TJ decided it was time for a shot of alcohol, no matter how weak. He raised his beer and took a drink before answering. I dont know. When hes feeling better, I guess.
And the tests?
They said the results will take a couple of days. Ive got three major private placement deals on the table. I have to close them. Then Im clearing my desk to go back to Seattle. Whatever happens, if Im a match or not, hes still my kid, and hes getting the best medical care money can buy.
Matt and Caleb exchanged a look.
What? TJ asked.
Thats a good place for your money, Matt said.
You bet its a good place for my money.
But money wasnt the only thing his son needed. TJ didnt know what hed do if he wasnt a bone marrow match. He had to be a match. Nothing else was acceptable.
You talked to him? Caleb asked.
Only a little. He was pretty groggy from all the medication. Sage says he plays baseball, a catcher.
Have you talked to a lawyer? Matt asked.
Ive talked to three lawyers. TJs company Tide Rush Investments had a financial lawyer on retainer and his firm had a family law division.
What do they say?
That Ive got a case.
What are you looking to get? Matt asked.
What has she offered? Calebs brow shot up.
TJ took another pull on his beer. It was such an incredibly ordinary thing to dositting up here with his two friends like he had hundreds of times over the years. But his life had been turned upside down. It would never be the same again.
Hed been considering his position for the past thirty-six hours. She had custody for the first nine years. Ill take the next nine.
Caleb frowned.
You cant take that hard a line, Matt said.
A teenage boy needs his dad. Id have given anything to have my old man show up in my life when I was Elis age, TJ said. He had a lot of time to make up for, and he had no intention of letting Sage or anyone else stop him.
They need their mom too, Caleb said.
TJ knew that. But he didnt want to admit it right now. He wanted to hold on to his anger at Sage for a while.
She can have visitation, he said. Thats more than she gave me.
Could you move to Seattle? Matt asked.
The Whiskey Bay school is top-notch, TJ countered. So is the area hospital. And the lifestyle cant be beat. He couldnt imagine a more perfect place to raise a child.
The neighbors are pretty good, Caleb said with a half smile.
Its not like I dont have the room.
His wife, Lauren, had wanted several children. Shed designed a six-bedroom house with a massive recreation area in the basement for rainy days and a nanny suite over the garage. Shed been trying to get pregnant when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
I cant see it being that straightforward. There was a cautionary note to Matts voice.
Nothings that straightforward, TJ said. But Im a determined and resourceful man.
Shes the mother of your child.
And Im the father of hersa fact she seems to have conveniently ignored.
Do you know why? Caleb asked. Why she kept it from you? I mean, she could easily have come after you for child support.
She wouldnt have had to come after me. Id have stepped up without a fight.
I know. I know. But youd think shed have wanted your help.
TJ knew the whole truth would eventually come out. His friends were too astute, and they cared too much about him to let him get away with a vague explanation. It was both a blessing and a curse.
TJ took the plunge. She said I didnt deserve to know about Eli.
Why? Calebs question was perfectly predictable.
Because it was a prank.
Both of his friends looked at him blankly.
Prom night. TJ gritted his teeth at the memory. A group of us, the seniors on the football team, we each picked a girls name out of a hat. I picked Sage.
Im guessing they werent the girls on the cheerleading squad, Matt said. His disappointment in TJ was obvious.
TJ knew he deserved that. Not the cheerleading squad. They were the nerds, the brains. It was supposed to be a kiss, only a dance and a kiss. That was it. But Sage...