Family Demanded My Kidney, I Fought Back

I, Allison Jarvis, had barely reached the door of the private dining room when I heard them talking inside. "I heard Allison got the director promotion." That was my mother's voice. My father sighed. "If Vanessa hadn't turned down that study-abroad opportunity over Gavin, she wouldn't still be stuck teaching elementary school, fighting for scraps." I said nothing. My phone screen was still lit, and the email on it was the one announcing my promotion and overseas assignment. Then I heard footsteps behind me. I turned around. Vanessa Jarvis was standing there. She had makeup on today, but it did nothing to soften the bitterness on her face. Humiliation sharpened her anger, and she aimed all of it at me. Her eyes locked on mine. I had just opened my mouth when she slammed into me and shoved past me into the room. I stayed where I was for a second and rubbed my arm where she had hit it. I wasn't surprised. By the time I walked in, the room had already settled back into warmth and laughter. "Allison, there you are! Come sit!" my mother said with a bright smile, as if nothing had happened. Vanessa was seated beside her. Gavin sat next to Vanessa and was already putting food on her plate. Once the food arrived, my mother slipped easily into her favorite subject. "Vanessa, how did things go with the promotion this year?" Vanessa smiled faintly. "I didn't get it. There weren't enough spots." "Oh..." My mother's disappointment flashed across her face, but she quickly covered it with another smile. "That's okay. There's always next year." My father said nothing. Gavin jumped in before the silence could settle. "Honestly, teaching is a good job. It's stable. And Vanessa likes it. That matters." He paused, then shifted the topic. "Actually, one of my coworkers' wives used to be a teacher. She left teaching a couple of years ago and opened an after-school tutoring center. She's doing incredibly well now. She just bought a condo downtown last month." "Really?" My mother's eyes lit up as she turned to Vanessa. "Vanessa, if that's something you want, your father and I can help you get started." Vanessa didn't answer. I sat there in silence, already used to it. Every family gathering went the same way. I faded into the wallpaper, and Vanessa got the spotlight. Then Vanessa suddenly pressed a hand to her head. "I... I feel dizzy..." Her voice faded, and all the color drained from her face. "Quick, get her some water!" My mother cried, jumping to her feet. But Vanessa had already gone limp and collapsed. The room erupted into chaos. ***** All of us stood outside the ER. After what felt like forever, the door finally opened. The doctor stepped out with a grim expression. "Are you her family?" "Yes, we're her family!" My parents rushed forward. "Doctor, how is she?" "She's in kidney failure. Based on the preliminary results, it appears she may be in end-stage renal failure. She needs a kidney transplant as soon as possible. Without one, she..." "A transplant?" My mother's knees nearly gave out. "Doctor, please save my daughter! We'll pay whatever it takes!" My father's eyes were already rimmed red. The doctor said, "We usually start with close relatives. The chances of a match are higher, and the risk of rejection is lower. If you're willing, we can arrange compatibility testing right away." The moment he said that, every eye in the room landed on me. My mother was the first to rush over. "Allison! Did you hear him? A family match is best! She's your sister! Please, Allison! You might be the one who can save her! I'm begging you!" My father stepped in front of me. "Allison, what are you waiting for? You're young. You're healthy! People live perfectly normal lives with one kidney! We're family! Why are you even hesitating?" That was when Vanessa woke up. She looked at our parents first and started crying as she shook her head. "Mom, Dad... Don't force Allison. If this is how it ends, then I'll accept it..." Then she looked at me. "Allison..." Her voice broke. "I know this is a terrible thing to ask... I don't want to put this on you... But you heard what the doctor said... If I don't get a transplant... I... I probably don't have much time left." I stood there, listening to my parents demand that I save her and looking at my sister lying pale and fragile in that hospital bed. Time seemed to stretch. Then I heard my own voice. "Let's do the compatibility test first."