Stephen walked into the doctors office feeling tired and all alone. He approached the receptionist desk with his head hung low. “How are you feeling Mr Aquino?” Susan asked behind her big desk. “Day by day Sue Day by Day.” Susan looked at her screen then looked up “ just have a seat please, Dr Cronin is running a little late but you are next.”

Stephen took a deep breath as he entered the waiting room. He was tired from the walk.

It was a good size waiting room as far as waiting rooms go. Stephen wondered why his doctor requires such a big room. Stephen never saw more then 3 people in this room. He decided to sit by the restroom door. After he sat down he noticed another man sitting across from him reading a magazine. He looked around and saw that it was quite except for the fish tank in the corner. Then closed his eyes to rest.

After a couple of minutes he was awoke by a man’s voice “excuse me sir? sir?” Stephen opened his eyes to see the man who was sitting across from him. “Excuse me sir? Your phone fell out of your pocket I didn’t want you to lose it.” The man said with a kind smile. Stephen smiled back with thanks. “ My name is Brain nice to meet you.” With that they shook hands and Brian sat next to Stephen.

They became friends quickly and were talking like old friends do. Brian went on to tell Stephen that he is an EMT for Boston fire department. He also mentioned he was a father of two twin boys who want to grow up like daddy. “You don’t look so good Stephen may I ask what’s wrong. I only ask because I’m a medical professional and I’m concerned.”

Stephen didn’t like talking of his condition to anyone but he felt like this guy wasn’t looking to be harmful. So today he made an exception.

“Well Brain I developed a rare cancer in my liver.

After a year of tests and appointments and sick days I’m jobless and dying. They tried to give me hope over this year. But they only solution is a transplant.” Stephen needed to take a few breaths, he did not want to cry in front of this man. Brian put his hand of his shoulder. “I’m here today because this is it. I’m going in and telling him I’m done. No more medicine or endless appointments. I’m all done being a burden on my family “

That was all it took poor Stephen to break down. His walls crumbled into his troubled waters. Brian got up and hugged him as tight as he could. He was trying to take this man’s sadness away. Then Brain whispered in his ear

“Stephen my children tell me I must be a hero even when I’m scared because there’s other people who are more scared then me. And it’s only when we become heroic are we able to move mountains. Stephen you need to be your own hero. You must fight although you are scared. Your family needs their hero to come home again!!”

Stephen stood up and thanked Brian with all his heart and soul. He has been hiding these feelings for over a year. They were chewing at his hopes. He felt the best he’s felt in quite along time. “Excuse me Brian I must freshen up my eyes.” Brain nodded his approval. With that Stephen walked slowly to the restroom door.

After a nice face wash with cold water from the sink Stephen paused to think….maybe Brian is right I’m going to keep up my fight and my hopes. My family needs me to be better. Stephen opened the door to find the waiting room empty. He was disappointed to find Brain gone. “Mr Aquino the doctor is ready for you”

He heard the nurse chime out.

“Mr Aquino please have a seat. “ the doctor started, “I know the last time we spoke things were not going the way we wanted. But today I have good news for you we found you a donor!”

Stephen’s ears could not believe this news. Just yesterday he thought he was a dead man! His hope was rushing back like a tsunami. “There’s an ambulance on the way now to pick you up you are a very lucky man Mr. Aquino.”

Stephen looked at the doctor with his heart beating out his chest. “ Doctor, then man who was in the waiting room was an absolute Angel to me. He was the kindness man. Do you know him?” The doctor was a bit confused by the old man’s “There’s wasn’t anyone in the waiting room with you sir. You are my last patient of the day. Can you describe him?”

Stephen continued “ His name was Brian. Young man in his early 30s. He was an EMT for Boston fire.” That’s when Stephen noticed the doctor scramble on his keyboard. The doctor stopped and stared at the screen with his mouth agape.

The door flew open before the doctor could say a word. It was the Paramedics. They said the patient passed away 10 minutes ago so they had to take Stephen immediately. After they whisked him out the door the doctor stared at the screen….it showed the donor info. Brain Cunio

32 year old male. occupation:firefighter

Survived by a wife and 2 five year old children.

The doctor wept…….