Nat & Tom She looked at him, aghast. "How-why did you do this, Tom?" "Well, because you need it, and because I love you." He smiled at her and kissed her forehead. She slunk away. "But...but if you do this...damn it, Tom, you can die!" Tears started to well up in her eyes. "Don't worry, hon. I'm not going to die. The doctor said he's done this kinda thing before, and you said you needed a kidney, and so far mine's the only legible choice." "But...what if-" she started. "Natalie. Nat, look at me." He grabbed her head and brought it to his own, his fingers entwined in her hair. She looked up at him, breathing shakily, on the verge of crying. "There's always going to be a 'what if'. But sometimes, like right now, you need to take a risk. " She sighed. "Okay. Okay. When is the surgery?" He straightened, looking out the hospital window as he said "A week from tomorrow." "Alright. But Tom?" He looked at her. "Yeah?" "Promise me you'll visit every day before then?" He smiled. " 'Course, love." He gave her a warm hug and kissed her lips before leaving for his next shift at his office. She just watched him leave, then stared out at the Evergreen trees outlining the overcast-stricken afternoon sky, wondering what turn her #life would take next.