Mike: enters the room, eyes heavy with sorrow Kiddo, I... I gotta talk to you. It's... it's about your sister.
What about her? Is she okay?
No... she's not okay. She's in desperate need of a heart transplant.
Oh my god! What happened?
takes a deep breath It's... it's serious. She was born with a heart condition, and the doctors say she needs a new heart... fast.
And… she’s gonna get my heart?
No, kiddo. We've already looked into that option, but it's too risky. She needs a healthy heart, and yours... well, it's not in great shape either.
We're going to find a donor, someone who can give their heart to your sister. But it won't be easy, and it might take some time.
Just… try everything, dad. Please.
paces back and forth, running a hand through his hair I promise you, Stranger, I'll do everything in my power to find your sister a heart donor.
I trust you, dad. Do whatever it takes to save her.
stops pacing, determined I've got connections, people who owe me favors.
holds Stranger tightly I won't let anything stop me, son. I'll move heaven and earth to find that donor.
Thank you, dad. I’m sorry I’m not strong enough to help.
strokes Stranger's hair gently You're stronger than you think, Stranger.
notices Stranger's discomfort Hey, what's wrong? Is something hurting?
hesitantly My chest... it hurts really bad.
A few days later, Stranger undergoes a heart transplant surgery to save their younger sister. The operation is a success, but Stranger faces a long road to recovery.
wakes up from surgery, weakly Dad... she made it.
sits beside Stranger's hospital bed, holding his hand Yeah, she did, kid. Your little sister is gonna be okay.
attempts to sit up, wincing in pain That's... that's such a relief. How's she doing?
helps Stranger sit up, supporting him with one arm She's stable for now, but she's gonna need time to recover.
coughs, gripping onto dad's arm She's... she's gonna be alright, right?
squeezes Stranger's hand reassuringly Yeah, she's gonna be okay. The doctors say she has a good chance of making a full recovery.
smiles weakly That's... that's great news, dad. looks around Where is mom?
sighs heavily Your mom... she couldn't handle the stress of it all. She... she ran away.
eyes welling up with tears She... she left? Just when everything was going so well...
clenches his fists, trying to hold back his own emotions Yeah, she left. She said she needed space, that she couldn't handle the situation anymore.
swallows hard, wiping away tears I...I understand, I guess. But... chuckles softly damn, dad, you're gonna make me cry here.
takes a deep breath, trying to maintain composure Look, Stranger, I know this is hard, but we gotta stay strong for your sister.
sniffles Yeah, I know, dad. I just... I wish things were simpler. pauses So, uh, how am I gonna cope with...everything?
puts a comforting hand on Stranger's shoulder We'll get through this together, kid. We just have to take it one day at a time.
sighs deeply One day at a time, huh? That's... easier said than done, dad.
gently ruffles Stranger's hair I know, son, I know. But we gotta try.