THE call to Dr. Che [solo]

Raina sat idly looking at the cell phone in her hands. The number had been dialed but she had yet to send the call. This was her last real chance to back out without causing trouble. She took a deep breath wondering if she would. With a sigh and a gaze upward she shook her head and knew she wouldn't.

The female receptionist answered- Raina didn't need to see to know exactly what she looked like because her image never left her mind the moment she left the center with Iris. "Raina. Looking for Dr. Che please" the woman told her the call would take a moment and hold music came on the phone.

Raina sat looking at the file Dr. Che had helped her establish through various tests this passed week.

"Hello Raina. It's Doctor Che. How are you feeling after out last batch of testing?"

"Better." admitted Raina. "Better about everything. You've very skilled Doctor Che. I'm feeling confident and I've come to a decision."

"Are you sure Raina? You know you wont be causing trouble by waiting. Have you discussed this with your friends and family?"

"With all do respect Dr. Che- I've been thinking, researching, and discussing for months now. I'm ready to set a date. I'd like to have the surgery. I'd like to know how I should prepare"

there was a pause on the phone and Raina lingered.

"Raina have you eaten?" came Che's voice.


"What do you mean?" she asked confused.

"I mean when was the last time you ate today..."

She could head him flipping through papers in the background.

"About 5 hours ago now- why?" she wasn't following.

"You're a priority patient Raina and we received payment from a Flloyd just yesterday. If you'd like to have the surgery tomorrow please don't eat anything. We have a space and the food can make the medicines we need to give you very sick."

Raina tried to make sense of what he said- there were many layers to it.

"Flloyd?" she asked first trying to think. Flloyd already made the payment? How could he have known she was deciding? Did he really know her so well?

"Tomorrow?" it really sunk in now- she could have the surgery tomorrow? "Um yeah... that sounds dooable. have a bit of time before classes have to start- and with Music I make my own schedule..." she started to organize in her head. "Okay Dr. Che. I think tomorrow works."

"Excellent Raina... all you have to do is not eat and fill out some paperwork that I jussssst sent to your e-mail. Be sure your emergency contact and next of Kin of up-to-date so they can come retrieve you and visit. If all goes as planned you'll be staying with us about a week after the initial gene therapy and surgery. We can discuss further tomorrow morning in my office I think you need to get some rest. Oh, and Raina-"

"Yes Dr. Che?" she was trying to let this all sink in.

"If you wake up tomorrow and change your mind. It's ok. I promise."

"Don't worry Dr. Che. I'll get to work on that paperwork now."

with that she snapped the cell phone shut and stood still looking at her reflection... lost in her thoughts.