Chapter 22

After the whoops and the cheering had died down , and everyone had congratulated Jon, while the guys were  chatting excitedly i sat on the chair silent and looked across at Jon, his eyes looked back at me, tears rolling down his face. There was no getting away from it, this had been a real rough ride so far. The Doc touched my shoulder causing me to break eye contact with Jon; he lent in to ask me to go with him to the office.

Leaving everyone celebrating I followed Dr markus; Inside with the door closed he gestured for me to sit. I really thought I would be nervous but for some reason I felt calm.

"So how do you feel about being Jons donor ?"

"Fine, I’m totally calm. I thought Id be the one, something told me inside so I wasn’t that shocked really Doc, so what happens now?"

"That’s good Richie, you are fit and healthy so the operation will not affect you to much at all, a few days rest and you will be bouncing back to life, however for Jon the road is a long one, he is seriously underweight, and weak, getting a new kidney is vital to his recovery but don’t expect miracles, its going to take a hell of a lot longer than days before he will be fighting fit." I nodded I understood to the doc, "Right well I’m scheduling surgery for 8am tomorrow morning , that means you will need to go home and rest tonight and be here at 7.30am tomorrow to sign consent forms and have preop ok? Are there anymore questions" I shook my head, " right then Ill let you return to the party, oh just one other thing no alcohol or eating after. 8pm ok ?" Again I nodded as I left his office and walked back to Jon’s room. Arriving back with the guys I explained the procedure and took a seat right next to Jon. Immediately after I sat he grabbed my hand and put it on his heart , holding eye contact with watery eyes he mouthed the words thank you. Holding on to him i squeezed his hand and mouthed back, no worries. No one else in the room noticed our moment, Jon being a no fuss kind of guy was hating all the attention being thrown upon him, the only attention Jon enjoyed was performing on stage, but he knew with a new kidney at least that may again become a possibility , without it.... Well did not warrant thinking about.

We decided to have an impromptu party but it was kept low key as even though Jon was getting the kidney he needed and I needed to rest. He also needed it as he rested against his pillows holding onto my hand the whole time. Dorothea had come over and gave me a kiss on the cheek. “thank you so much Richie for saving my husband...”

“he's my brother D... I couldn't do anything less... lets just concentrate on getting him back on his feet ..” I had ideas of what to do for Jon once he got the kidney and was on the road to recovery. I planned in my head things to do with him while he was still bed ridden. He would need to regain his strength but he could still work with his guitar slowly. We also had to deal with the court case once they found the dirty bag Manning. Doc also would be going to be tried for what he did to Jon as he had hired Manning without checking everything putting Jon's life at risk. I turned to see Jon watching everyone then his eyes connected with mind he gave me a tired smile and a thumbs up but didn't let go of my hand. We would be more than band mates now more than brothers … there was no words for what we would be now. I would willingly give my life up for Jon if it would get him better.

After while Jon's nurse came in to let us know we needed to leave as Jon was asleep again. I looked at the time it was only a little after six but he needed the rest. The more rest he got the faster he would be back to the man we knew and loved. I sighed as I knew he wasn't going to be happy that I left but I needed to get home and get some rest myself tomorrow would be a big day for both of us . I leaned down to kiss his forehead and hugged D while Dave drove me home. I was surprised to see my mom inside getting things ready for tomorrow but I shouldn't have. I knew Carol would have called to tell her what was going on. I hugged her before I headed to bed. I must have been tired cause as soon as I hit the pillow I was out.