I lean in and whisper the words I should’ve said when I knew he could’ve heard me, and then I kiss him for the last time.

Then I’m off to the operating table.

If all goes well, Valentino will live in me for the rest of my life.

But I don’t know how this ends.

PART FIVE

The Beginning

I’ve always loved the expression “Out with the old, in with the new.” It holds meaning to every individual person. It can be about anything. A lover, an organ. Even a way of life—a way of death. What does it mean for you?

—Joaquin Rosa, creator of Death-Cast

August 1, 2010

Orion

1:19 a.m.

Death-Cast probably isn’t up and running anymore, but if they are, they’re probably going to call any second now because I have a hole in my chest.

A metaphorical hole, but it hurts just the same.

I also can’t answer any calls because there’s a tube down my throat.

I’m so groggy, drugged up from this surgery. But anesthetics are only good for the physical pain. They don’t do shit about heartbreak.

Not even when they put your boyfriend’s heart inside you.

Dalma Young

1:23 a.m.

Death-Cast could call Dalma Young to tell her she’s going to die today, and she can only hope she will live a day as magical as the one Orion shared with Valentino.

Dr. Emeterio tells the family that Orion’s surgery was a success, but the celebration is reined in. This is a win that’s come at a devastating loss.

Dalma hugs her mother tight, crying over the thought of how many more years she’ll get to spend with Orion. She can safely imagine him throwing back shots together for their twenty-first birthdays like their mothers got to do, cheering her on with the rest of the family at her graduation, delivering speeches at each other’s weddings, and everything else that precedes and follows. Of course, life is never guaranteed, no matter how healthy you are. That lesson was learned with Orion’s parents and now Valentino. And even with a new heart, Orion isn’t promised the same odds as those who haven’t had transplants.

But Dalma can hope and dream.

And most important, she can make sure time is never taken for granted.

“Can we see O-Bro—Orion?” Dalma asks, wiping her tears.

“Soon,” Dr. Emeterio says.

“Thank you for everything, Doctor,” Dayana says. “You have no idea how much . . .”

“I only wish I could’ve saved them both.”

Until now, Valentino’s death hadn’t been confirmed aloud.

“We’ll pray for his soul, and his family,” Dayana says.

“Only the sister,” Dalma says.

Valentino’s parents can pray for themselves.

Together, Dayana leads the family in prayer, passing blessings of peace onto Valentino’s soul and strength to Scarlett and love and light to them both.