Prompt (Random First Line from an app I have): He had
enjoyed ten years of being totally irresponsible.
He had enjoyed ten years of being totally irresponsible. Dave had enjoyed his rich guy bachelor life. He worked hard but he played harder, just
like the cliché. He didn’t care if people thought he was a spoiled rich kid, he
knew better. All that had mattered to
him was making money and enjoying life, isn’t that what was at the heart of the
American Dream? He looked as Cynthia
again as he turned back in to her talking.
She was fidgeting with her coffee cup and rambling about doctors. “Wait a minute, wait just one fucking minute,”
he snapped. “So you call out of the blue
after four years and tell me that I have a kid, and not just a kid but a sick
kid and you expect me to take it at face value?” Cynthia looked, anger flashing
in her eyes, “Yes, I expect you to believe me because I have no reason to lie.” “Oh yeah?
I can think of a few million,” he barked with laughter. “I don’t want your money. The only thing I want from you is your bone
marrow, or for you to be tested at least.”
“ So you expect me to believe
that all you want is that and then you are just going to fade back into the
background. No money, no little help
with the medical bills, or anything like that eh?” “ Jesus
Christ, you really are full of yourself.
I don’t want anything from you except for you to get tested to see if
you can help save my child’s life.”
“ Oh your child, not our child? I thought you said the kid was mine.” “ It
is your child you fuck wad but I don’t want or expect you to have anything to
do with our lives. Why do you think I
never told you I was pregnant? I knew
you wouldn’t care. Heaven forbid if some
real responsibility interferes with your perfect precious life. Just take the test and if you are a match
donate. That’s it. It won’t even put you down and out for more
than a week.” Dave eyed her and thought
about what she was saying. So he had a
kid, maybe, and she didn’t want anything from him but bone marrow. Hmmm, he wondered if he could get her to sign
something that stated that and protect himself.
“So would you be willing to sign a waiver that releases me from any
financial obligations?” “Look, I will
sign whatever the hell you want as long as you get tested and then donate,” she
snapped. Cynthia got up and flung a card
on the table. “This is the doctor. Call him and set up an appointment. Once you have been tested and we find out if
you are a match I will sign your release.”
He looked at her and picked up the card.
Frowning he said, “This guy is one of the top oncologists in the city. How can you afford him?” She eyed him levelly, “That is none of your
business, are you going to make the appointment?” “Yeah, I guess. I will get a hold of my lawyer and get those
papers drawn up as well.” She reached
into her purse and pulled out another piece of paper, “You really are a piece
of work you know that? You would
actually blackmail me into signing an agreement by withholding lifesaving
treatment from your child.” She laughed
a humorless laugh and tossed the piece of paper on the table. Dave picked up what was actually a photograph
and looked into the sea green eyes of his daughter. “Her name is Hope in case you were wondering,”
she said as she stormed off. Dave stared
at the tiny face that looked so much like his mother but with his eyes. There was no doubt this was his child and in
that moment he felt his world shift.
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