I had an ice pop in my mouth.
“Are you investigating me behind my back?”
Taylor answered, “You’re our subject. We
need to know some background information
about you.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to tell your
く
parents that you’re sick?”
I shook my head.
“No.”
“Why not?”
Taylor stared at me, hesitant.
I showed her the notes on my phone.
4:00 AM 7:30 AM: Breakfast Diner
–
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Sales Company
5:30 PM – 8:00 PM: Babysitting
8:20 PM – 9:30 PM: Tutoring
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10:00 PM – 2:00 AM: Food Truck
I said in a scratchy voice, “That’s my mom’s
schedule. She’s got five jobs to pay for my
dad’s treatments.”
“What do you think will happen if she finds
out I’m sick?”
Taylor’s eyes were a little red.
I sniffed.
“Her only two hours of rest will disappear
every day.”
“She’ll die if this continues!”
I burst into tears when I mentioned Mom.
“My mom should’ve been a doctor, saving
lives, but she gave up on her dreams and took
on the world on her shoulders.”
“Dad was diagnosed with leukemia when I
was a senior in high school. He tried to drown
himself so that he would not be a burden to
us.”
“Mom and I begged him to stay…”
Taylor handed me a tissue.
“Riley…”
I scrubbed my face.
“What do you think Dad will choose if he finds
out I’m sick?”
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“We can’t have a second one.”
Taylor patted my shoulder.
I shook my head.
“I got sick the day I matched with my dad.”
“I was so scared that he’d find out, so I ran.”
“Dad thought I was refusing to save him, but
he didn’t blame me, he begged me to stay
and said it was okay as long as I was happy.”
“I was totally fine before that day.”
“I could have saved him…”
I covered my face and cried.
[Filming Record: June 10th, 2024]
I was riding my moped, delivering food. The
camera was behind me.
After I finished the last order, I sighed.
“I told you I don’t have time to film.”
“Riley, wait!”
Taylor blocked my path and showed me her
phone.
“We contacted a non–profit organization.
They raised money for your dad!”
“Riley, trust us. We really want to help you.”
“So please don’t give up on yourself. Can you
go to the hospital with us?”
I stared silently at the screen.
Tears streamed down my face.
“I’ll let you film me.”
“I’ll repay you by saving my dad.”
[Filming Record: June 11th, 2024]
I looked at the words “Body Donation” on the
contract.
I suddenly looked at the camera.
“Where will these videos be played? I don’t
want my parents to see them.”
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“They can’t know for the rest of their lives.”
Taylor said, “You won’t die.”
“The video will be used for internal use only.
Don’t worry, they won’t find out.”
I smiled for the first time on camera.
“Thank you, Taylor.”
[Filming Record: July 1st, 2024]
I was haggard. My cheeks were sunken, and
the hospital gown was hanging loose on my
body.
I forced myself to sit up to face the camera.
“Can I stop getting chemotherapy?”
Taylor held my hand and shook her head.
“Riley, I know chemotherapy is painful, but
you have to believe you can beat this. Let’s
try harder, okay?”
Repeated fever and vomiting broke me down.
That night, I lost control and threw food on
the floor, saying terrible things to chase
everyone away.
Then I hid under the covers and cried.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it.”
Taylor hugged me.
“It’s okay, Riley.”
I said, “I just realized how painful
chemotherapy is. Dad was suffering all this
time.”
“Taylor, I miss my parents so much…”
[Filming Record: September 1st, 2024]
“Riley, it’s your birthday today! Do you have a
wish?”
The camera pointed at the door.
valked out.
I wore a yellow dress and a curly wig.
“Taylor, let’s go to an amusement park
today!”
I took painkillers before we left.
Taylor saw me, but she did not stop me. She
only teared up a little.
I rode a merry–go–round and made a peace
sign to the camera.
Taylor took pictures.
“Riley, look here, smile, yeah, pretty!”
My legs went numb when I got off. I fell to the
ground.
T