Read Online A Heartbeat Away by Harry Kraus - Free Book Online

is done, it all goes, heart, surrounding nerves, the whole network. Who’s to say that the heart doesn’t have its own memories?”
    â€œYou have other new memories?”
    â€œImages mostly.”
    â€œTell me.”
    â€œSome are detailed and sharp. A piece of paper with a number. 316. I was told to remember the number. It’s a clue, something that will help convict a very bad man.”
    Charlotte’s eyes went to the medicines.
    â€œIt’s not those, either. Unless the medicines that keep me from rejecting my heart are keeping me from fighting off senseless hallucinations, too.” She shrugged. “Maybe my defenses are down all around, even my mental ones.”
    â€œWhat does Dr. Parrish think?”
    â€œI haven’t told him.”
    â€œYou need to do that. He may want to change your meds.”
    Tori didn’t like the direction of their conversation. But she knew Charlotte’s reaction of disbelief would be typical if Tori decided to share her feelings. “They seem so real.”
    â€œYou’ve been under a lot of stress. Maybe you’re mixing up some past trauma—”
    â€œNo!” Tori huffed. “I shouldn’t have told you. You think I’m crazy.”
    â€œTori, you almost died before your transplant. Your job is in jeopardy. You’re on a boatload of powerful medicines. I’m the last one who would think you’re crazy.”
    â€œBut you think I’m cracking under the stress?”
    Charlotte offered a meek smile. “Who wouldn’t?”
    â€œSo why something so specific like the number?”
    â€œI have no idea.”
    â€œThat’s why I need to figure this out. I left a message with Barb, the nurse who coordinates the transplant program. I need to find out who my donor was so I can make sense of these memories.”
    Charlotte looked out across her backyard as she spoke. “I brought lemonade. Dr. Parrish told me to be sure you were drinking plenty of fluids. He doesn’t want you getting dehydrated.”
    Tori took the hint. Charlotte wasn’t comfortable with Tori’s theory.
    Charlotte went back inside just as Tori’s cell phone sounded.
    â€œHello?”
    â€œDr. Taylor, it’s Barb, the transplant coordinator. I was told you called.”
    Tori took a deep breath and launched into the story of her new memories. After relating everything, she heard Barb’s breath blow into the receiver.
    â€œYou know I can’t tell you the identity of the donor.”
    â€œLook, Barb, I’m not sure I can get you to understand, but these feelings, these memories are very, very real to me. They frighten me.” She sighed. “I need to make sense of this.”
    â€œYou should talk to someone. A counselor. Finding out weird or dark things about your donor’s life is not going to help. You need to trust me on this. There are things you may not want to know.”
    â€œMake an exception. I’m a surgeon. I know how these things work.”
    â€œDr. Taylor, the system is set up this way for a reason. The donor family may not desire this kind of contact. News like you’re suggesting may be very upsetting to the family.”
    â€œThis is a special situation. There may be criminal and legal issues here.”
    Another sigh from Barb’s end. “I’ll ask a few questions. If the family wants to contact you, I’ll let you know.”
    Tori looked up at the waxy leaves of the magnolia tree and felt her throat tighten with emotion. Fighting back tears, she coughed. “Okay. Let me know.”
    She set the phone on the table. I can’t expect anyone to understand. They don’t feel what I’m feeling.
    She touched the front of her shirt, letting her hand settle over her new heart. If our experiences define us, make us who we are, who does that make me?
    Am I the same person that I used to be?

8
    Christian Mitchell looked up at the