#Chapter 70: Fever Dream

Ardal At the clinic the next day, Erbao is playing cheerfully with Leah during his dialysis session. I nursed my wounds with Kadeem the day before. Nothing a little Skinny Pop and a White Claw before bed didn't fix. My mind ticks away as Peggy explains the mechanics of home dialysis and what I have to do. Thankfully, a nurse will come in to help me initially. “We’ve got him scheduled for the catheter placement next week,” she says, handing me a card, and then providing me with the instructions on when to arrive, and to expect a call from the anesthesiologist's team a couple days before. My head is still spinning with all the information when Jack pokes his head through the door. “Can I grab you,” he asks. His face is solemn and it gives me nervous butterflies. I blow Erbao a kiss and follow Jack to his office. He’s out with it immediately and he doesn’t sugar coat it. He sits down on the edge of his desk and grabs my hand as he delivers the news with an