"In order to save a woman named Wanda Sullivan."
"You're lying," you mumbled. That's hard to believe it occurred. "My, my, my mom di...di...died?" Hearing that ridiculous sentence, your chest clenched, and your eyes couldn't keep back the tears that streamed down your cheeks.
"I'm afraid so, son," another voice suddenly spoke, and you watched as a much taller, older doctor with gray hair walked towards you and gently put a hand on your shoulder for comfort, telling you softly, "We're sorry for your loss. Truly we are. But there was really nothing we could do."
"Oh my" you sobbed, memories of your mother filling your head. She had been so kind and full of life, warm and comforting with a friendly personality and an infectious sense of humor. Realizing that you would never get to speak to her again, or be told off for not cleaning your room, or for staying out too late, or even get to taste her wonderful cooking was just too horrible for words. You know she'll leave you one day, but you don't imagine it'll be so soon.Your mother whom you knew for 16 years left you forever.
Then you recall what Dr. Kerry mentioned about his mother being a body donor for others. That bizarre occurrence occurred to your mum. How could they do such a thing to your mother's dead body? "What...what did you mean, about brain transplants and my mom's body and stuff?"
"That's exactly what he said, Tim. I sincerely apologize. I understand how tough this must be to hear, especially given what has just occurred, but Dr. Kerry had to make a life-or-death decision to save that woman's life, and your mother was the only qualified donor."
"So you're saying there's a another person within my mother's body? Another lady?"
"Yes, another brain was implanted into it," he said gently, "that was the only way she could have possibly lived." Her body was simply too gravely harmed."
"And, despite the fact that the process is quite new and innovative," Dr. Kerry said, appearing very pleased with himself, "it has been 100 percent effective." Ms. Sullivan looks to be making a remarkable recovery. Her new synapses are all firing properly, and her reflexes are entirely normal, showing that she has complete control over her new motor skills. It's very incredible."
Although this was all very puzzling and difficult to hear, and your brain wasn't in a healthy place for anything right now, you had to take consolation in the fact that even in death, she had helped someone; she had always been a very kind and thoughtful person. "I guess...I guess it's what my mom would have wanted," you murmured to them both, trying to make sense of what they were saying. "It's just bizarre to think that someone else is going to spend the rest of their lives looking like her."
This caused the physicians to both halt and gaze at each other awkwardly for a time before Saunders finally spoke out, fumbling uneasily with his hands. "Yes, well, uh...a there's little more to it than that, I'm afraid," he said, clearing his throat and gazing at his colleague. "You see, this brain transplant process is still in its early phases and hasn't been thoroughly tested, nor has it been formally sanctioned by either the hospital or the medical board. Although it was a success and saved Ms. Sullivan's life, if word came out about any of this, things would become very nasty."Then, in the most sorrowful tone he could generate (as if attempting to alleviate his own guilt),he informed you, "And...not only for us, but for everyone involved! The media attention, press intrusion, and legal repercussions of this young lady now inhabiting your mother's body would be unbearable, and the sacrifice your mother permitted us to make to save her life would be in vain! Do you follow me?"
Though you thought the fact that they had done this transplant seemingly behind everyone's back was suspicious, you could understand where they were coming from, and assuming they were going to beg for your quiet, you answered them, "Yeah, I think so," not wanting to be plagued by the media.
"This is why, once Ms. Sullivan wakes up and has a grasp on everything that has occurred to her," Saunders said, "we're going to recommend that she keep things quiet and carry on living as if she were genuinely your mother - as if she were really Jennifer Connors."
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