8
By the time my mother and I arrived at the hospital, Mark was still in surgery. He had severe burns all over his body. The worst part was, he had been facing away from the door. The water hadn’t just hit his back and his face; it had scalded his genitals as well.
When my mother heard the news, she fainted on the spot. I quickly pinched the philtrum below her nose. This was no time to pass out. Decisions needed to be made.
I pinched so hard I nearly drew blood, but she finally came to. Her eyes were murderous as she looked at Lilian. She launched herself at her, kicking and hitting.
“You bitch! You bitch! You took my son! I’ll kill you! I’ll avenge my son!”
I stood by watching the show, making a half–hearted attempt to intervene.
Lilian screamed as she was beaten, not daring to fight back.
When my mother was tired, she let go, but her eyes never left Lillan.
A little while later, the light above the operating room went out. The doctor emerged, his expression grave.
“He has extensive burns all over his body, but for now, his life is not in danger.”
the doctor took us to his office to discuss the next steps. I knew what was coming. For burns this severe, the only option was skin grafting, taking healthy skin from other parts of his body to cover the burns.
The problem is,” the doctor said, “the burns are too extensive. There isn’t enough of his own skin. Would any family members be willing to donate?‘
My mother agreed without a second thought, grabbing my hand. ‘This is my daughter See if she can donate.”
A chili went down my spine. I had forgotten about this part. I had gone to such great lengths to make Mark the one who was burned, but was I still doomed to the same fate? I knew what would happen. If I donated my skin, I would be abandoned, and everything would play out just like last time.
“G, answer the doctor! Say you’ll donate!” my mother hissed, digging her nails into my arm.
“Of course I will,” I said quickly. Anything to save my brother. I’ll do anything.”
The doctor quickly drew up a surgical plan. But before that, I made a request. I wanted to see Mark. “My brother is saved. I have to tell him the good news myself.”
Mark had regained some consciousness and could speak a few simple words. I put on a sterile gown and went in to see him.
“Brother, don’t worry I’ll save you,” I whispered. “But we can’t let Lilian get away with this. She did this to you.”
At the mention of her name, Mark became agitated. “I’ll kill her! Kill her!”
“No, brother, that’s illegal! We have to use the law to protect ourselves.‘
“Then call the police! I want her in jail!”
Seeing him getting more and more worked up, I quickly calmed him down. “Don’t worry. She’ll be punished. You just rest and get ready for the surgery.”
