Chapter 5

Tina had expected Bette to look bad, but she was not prepared for what she saw. Bette’s skin was yellow and swollen. She looked bloated almost. Her face was all bruised and scratched. There were tubes running in all directions, connecting Bette to numerous machines. Tina slowly tried to take it all in, but it was too much. She sat down next to Bette and gently rubber her arm. ” Bette, honey, I’m here. I love you. Please be strong and fight this. The doctors are going to do everything that can to help you, but you have to be strong. Please Bette.” Tina was sobbing uncontrollably, and laid her head next to her lovers hand.

Alice was on the phone when Dana and Shane arrived. She was deep in conversation and motioned to the girls not to disturb her. They stood in a circle about 10 feet away from her, giving her privacy. A few minutes later, Alice hung up her phone and turned to them, tears streaming down her face. Shane grabbed her and Alice buried her face in Shanes neck, sobbing. When Alice finally composed herself enough to talk, she relayed the severity of Bettes accident and condition to her friends. All of them stood there looking at Alice, stunned.
Alice continued talking. “Tina is in ICU with her now. They arent going to let her stay long, so we all need to pull it together and be strong for her. I called Kit, shes getting a ride out here now.” Alice paused and looked around at her friends. She knew that she was about to lay some heavy ***** on them. “Theres something I have to ask each of you. If you dont want to do this, its okay, you dont have to.”
They all looked at her anxious to hear what she had to say. Alice took a deep breath. “I talked to Bettes doctor. Tina doesnt know about this yet, so please dont say anything to her. Bette needs a liver transplant or she will die for sure.” She paused to let the words sink in. Dana found her voice and said, “What can we do?
“Well,” Alice continued, ” Because of her brain injury, shes not going to go on the transplant list. The doctor said the powers that be wouldnt allow it. So” another deep breath”I told her that I would take the necessary test to see if I was a match. Kit is going to do it too, she would probably be the closest to a match, but I want to know if you will all take the test to see if any of you match Bettes.”
The weight of that statement sunk in and immediately everyone said yes. Alice grabbed her friends in a hug and said “Great! Dr. Crane is waiting for us. Let’s go.”
Dana and Shane laughed as Alice led them away. “What would you have done if we said no?” Dana asked. Alice didnt miss a beat when she said, “Kicked the snott out of you.” Alice remembered the line on the chart that was connecting Tonya to Gabby and looked thoughtfully at Dana. She knew that she needed to tell her, but didnt think this was the right time. Later, she told herself after we know Bette will be okay. Alice looked at her friends and smiled. Despite the seriousness of the days events, they were pulling together to help someone they loved.


Tina lay with her tears falling onto Bettes yellow, bloated skin for about ten minutes. She couldnt think of anything to say to her other than ‘I love you’, which she said repeatedly. Tina got up to leave, kissed Bette on the hand, and told her she would be back. Dr. Crane had told her not to stay to long and now she knew why. It was the most emotionally draining thing she had probably ever had to deal with in her life. Out in the hall, Tina couldnt find Dr. Crane so she walked outside hoping to find her friends. Kit was in the waiting room. She rushed over to her and threw her arms around her. “Oh Kit!” she wailed. Kit comforted Tina for a minute before asking questions. This was her baby sister after all. Tina was in the middle of explaining everything she knew when Alice, Dana, and Shane came walking down the corridor. All of he girls wanted to know how Bette was so Tina suggested they find the cafeteria and grab some coffee. Before she left with them, Tina took Kit to ICU. She explained to the nurses that Kit was Bettes sister and told them that she would need some time with her. Kit turned to Tina, crying and said thank you. Tina hugged Kit tightly. ” I love you, Kit.” ” I love you too, Tina” Ill meet you in the cafeteria in 15 minutes or so. Kit hugged Tina tightly once more, and turned to enter Bettes room.

The girls were at a table already when Tina found them, and they had a coffee for her. She sat down with a thud. No one spoke for a moment until Tina said, ” This feels so unreal.” Dana took her hand and held it. “Tina, if theres anything that we can do”
“Yeah, T, anything” piped Shane.
Alice just sat there looking at Tina. She was amazed that Tina could be this composed right now, but knew that it was because the full impact had not hit her yet. She made a mental note to herself to make sure that she was around to help when it did hit her.

For the next few minutes, Tina tried her best to explain Bettes condition. When she got to the part about Bettes liver failing, Dana motioned to her arm and said, “Yeah, were trying to help with that.” Tina looked questioningly from girl to girl, finally resting on Alice who was giving Dana the look of death.
“Whats up Al?”
Alice looked at Tina. She was so fragile right now. She took her hand. “Well, weve all been and given blood to be tested to see if any of us are a match for Bette. If one of us is, then we would give Bette part of our liver. They regenerate you know.” She finished smiling.
And that was the last thing that Tina could handle for the moment. She laid her head in her hands and cried. Her friends cried with her.

Kit was siting in a chair next to her sister. Her eyes were closed, Her lips moving softly. Se was praying for her sisters life.

It was a long night for everyone. Kit went to have her blood work done to see if she was a match for Bette. The girls sat in the waiting room, hoping to hear some good news every time Tina came from seeing Bette. So far, nothing. She was the same, which in its own right, was good.

At 8:30 Dr. Crane came and found them. Everyone was sleeping except for Tina and Shane, who saw the doctor froze, expecting the worst.
Ms. Kennard, I have some good news.” Dr. Crane said smiling. “One of you ladies is a match for Bette. We would like to do the surgery at 11.”
Tina smiled so big, her heart full.
“Who is it, which one of us?” Shane asked nervously.
Dr. Crane looked at her clipboard. ” A Ms. Dana Fairbanks.”
Shane let out the breath she had been holding. Tina jumped and ran over to Dana, waking her up. “Dana, Dana, get UP!!! Youre a match!!! ”
Dana opened her eyes with a look that said ‘Holy *****”. Then She said” Holy *****!”
She jumped up and hugged Tina. Dr. Crane began talking to Dana, trying to prepare her for what was to happen.
Dana didnt realize she was talking to her at first.
“Ms Fairbanks, your hospital stay would be about a week long, followed by two weeks of bed rest. I understand that you are a professional tennis player.
Dana looked at her “Yeah, So?”
Dr. Crane looked down at her clipboard before speaking again.
“Well, it would probably two months before you would have medical clearance to play and even then, it could take up to 4 months before you return to your normal competitive state.”
Dana looked at Tina, who looked away.
“Well, *****! I guess I need to call Subaru.” Dana grabbed her phone and walked away.
Alice woke up from all of the loud talking.
“Whats going on? Is Bette doing Bette?” She asked sleepily.
Tina went and sat by her. “No. But Dana is a match for a liver transplant. She’s talking to Subaru now.”
Alice looked at her in amazement. “Dana? Oh wow. Never thought that. So, she’s talking to Subaru?” Tina sat nervously watching Dana on the phone, “Yeah.”
Dana came in a few minutes late with a smile on her face.
“Okay Doc, lets do this!” She exclaimed excitedly.
Tina began crying, hugging Dana and asking “Are you sure?”
Dana just smiled and said, ” I love Bette, and she would do the same for me”
Kit walked through the doors from ICU to see all the girls happy and hugging. ” What s going on? ”
Tina turned and grabbed Kit shouting, “Danas a match! Bettes going to have the liver transplant.” The emotion in the room was so beautifully intense, Dr. Crane had to turn away to hide the tears in her eyes.

Before being led away for surgery, Dana grabbed led Alice away from the group.
“They let me go, Alice. Said that I was violating my contract, and that they were going to sue me!” Dana was crying now. Alice looked at her friend quizzically. “Then why did you say yes?” Because Alice, this is Bettes life! What kind of person would I be if” she smiled”if I let her die? Alice smiled back at her saying ” you are truly the most wonderful person in the world, Dana Fairbanks!

Dana was led away to get prepped for surgery. Alice and Shane left to go get food and clothes for Tina, and to change themselves. Tina and Kit sat alone, holding hands, silently hoping that this would be what Bette needed to make a full recovery.

Dana asked to see Bette before the surgery. Given the circumstances, Dr. Crane didnt see this as a problem, and led her in to Bettes room in a wheelchair. Dana sat looking at Bette, rubbing her hand, hoping this operation would be the miracle she needed.
END Chapter 5