Free Fragile Hearts by Colleen Clay Page A

you away to live at college was
one of the hardest decisions we've ever made. Over the years, we've just wanted
to protect you. It wasn't until the last couple of years that we realized how
overprotective we'd become." Mom fingered a tear.
    My own eyes are starting to moisten.
    Mom brushes hair out of my eyes. "But look
at you now. You're even trying out for the Paralympics."
    "I may not make the cut."
    "But that doesn't matter. What matters is
that you're overcoming the fear that's kept you dependent on me and dad for so
long. Now you have friends and a full life."
    A tear trickles from my eye to my ear. I reach
and brush it aside.
    Mom says, "So, how are Lucy and Tyce? You've
talked so much about them that your father and I were hoping to meet them during
the break, but I suppose they have family they're spending time with,
too."
    I swallow the lump in my throat. "Yeah.
Lucy went home for break and I guess Tyce did, too. Lucy's from a small town
called Oasis in Central Arizona. Tyce has never told me much about his family, only
that he lives with his mom on the outskirts north of town."
    My mom gives me a questioning look. "You
really like him, don't you?"
    I can't stop another tear. "Yes," I
say softly, "but he doesn't have those kinds of feeling for me. We're just
friends."
    Mom leans over and hugs me. She says, "Now
I understand why you've seemed a little down. If things don't work out with
Tyce, don't let the disappointment stop your progress."
    I understand my mom's concern and I reply,
"I won't."
    Mom sits back up, smoothes a hand across her own
face to wipe away tears, and then looks at me with such love it makes me think
of my sister—the daughter she lost—and I cannot fathom the sorrow of parents
losing a child. The guilt I always feel returns full force and after Mom leaves
the room, I turn my head into my pillow and quietly weep. I have never told the
entire story of what happened that night; how I was the reason for the
accident.
    The first day back at school after Christmas
vacation I'm surprised when Lucy doesn't show up. I'm even more surprised when
I find Tyce waiting for me after class. He smiles slightly and my heart expands.
He's so beautiful, inside and out, and there's a sadness he's never disclosed
the reason for. I hope someday he'll trust me enough to confide in me.
    He says, "Hi Morgan. How was break?"
    "It was nice spending time with my family.
You?"
    "It was nice, too." I get the feeling he
wants to speak privately with me. He motions down the hall. "Can we find a
private spot? I need to tell you something."
    My heart starts hammering faster than it already
is. "Sure. I'll follow you."
    Tyce exits the building, barely returning
greetings to other students. He ignores Tina and she gives me a scathing look.
    Outside, I follow him to a tree near the street where
there's no one around. We're going to be late for class, but I can see that whatever
he wants to say outweighs that concern.
    He leans against the tree and stares at me for a
second. "Kaylee had the surgery to replace a kidney. I didn't call because
I wanted to tell you in person."
    I hold my breath, waiting for his next words.
    "She's doing well. The doctors are pleased
with her progress."
    I release my breath. "That's wonderful!
When can she have visitors?"
    "Not for a few days." Tyce bends over
and says in my ear, "Lucy was the kidney donor."
    While I'm trying to wrap my mind around this new
piece of information, Tyce places his hands over mine. "I didn't find out
until a few hours before the surgery. I went to visit Kaylee and saw Lucy in
another room on the same floor. She admitted to being the donor, but didn't
want Kaylee to know."
    "How is she doing?" I ask, barely
above a whisper.
    "The doctor said she's recovering well.
Lucy's mother is with her now. Seems Lucy didn't tell her until the last minute
because she didn't want her to worry."
    I'm still processing this information, but ask,
"When can I see Lucy?"
    "The surgery took