I've Been There Before

“What … do you mean?” Payne was surprised. Grace turned around. He quickly grabbed her arm tightly and said, “Did you really find a donor?”

He stared at Grace nervously. Grace lowered her eyes when noticed Payne’s nervousness, anxiety, and hope.

The hope of survival.

She smiled and answered, “Yes, I did. You won’t die.”

Pulling his hand away, she seemed to have made up her mind.

When she walked to the door….

She smiled at him. He would never forget that smile.

“Payne, stay strong and enjoy your life.”

Then, the door was closed.

Payne didn’t even have time to say “thank you”.

The next moment, he called Mrs. James excitedly, “Mom, I’m saved! I won’t die!”

He was overjoyed.

Mrs. James couldn’t believe it. She kept asking, “Really? Who is so kind?

I must show my thanks to the donor.

I’ll call your ruthless sister. She actually refused to save you!

Even a stranger was willing to do it.

She should be guilty!”

Payne blushed. He said with embarrassment, “Mom, don’t do that. Grace found the donor for me.”

Mrs. James was surprised at first. Then she said, “Whatever. She is not the doctor. She found a donor for you just because she doesn’t want to donate her own bone marrow.

Do you think she did this for you?

She did this for herself.”

Payne’s face turned even redder. “Mom, I’m tired. I must hang up now.”

Not long after, his attending doctor came and told him that he could have a bone marrow transplant.

Payne hesitated for a moment, but he didn’t ask who the donor was.

The doctor only said, “You’re lucky. From today onwards, I’ll prescribe antibiotics for you as preoperative preparation. You have to take this. After your body indexes return to normal, I’ll arrange an operation for you.”

The doctor added, “I need to talk to your family. The result would come out one month after the operation.”

…

James, are you sure you want to donate bone

medically speaking, can still live.” The

poorer health and can’t lift heavy things.

should know

said that human body can regenerate bone marrow. The bone

four to five days in a row. We will collect hematopoietic

condition

safe. There is still a small risk. Although

condition

you sure you’re going

signed her name on the donation letter—Grace Shaw, the name on her ID

your surname James?” The nurse

said indifferently, “My grandfather’s surname is James. I have changed

The nurse was puzzled….

…

returned home, she saw a man

and leave, but she resisted the urge to leave

She said slowly.

with his dark eyes. “OK,” he said in a low

didn’t you call

agreed to

Why was he here?

meant he bothered

He didn’t deny that.

eyes still dark, he

“Where did you go?”

was an ordinary

“I didn’t go anywhere. I just had afternoon tea with

“Oh … I see.”

felt that there was implication in his words.

must be busy with work at that time. He couldn’t know where

not going to

noticed that she did not take out

to leave me alone for some time. Is that a

looked at her.

into the

just want you to be there for me for the rest of your life,”

suddenly trembled, and she lowered her

is too long. I’m not sure,” murmured she. However, the elevator door had closed. She took out her keys and opened the door. Walking

risk should have been small, it might not be the case for

marrow

entirely on

hadn’t dared to take the risk before for

Group was on the right track, grandfather’s efforts would not

She didn’t let her late grandfather down. She didn’t care if his

made the decision to find a

had made up her mind when she

would take charge of the