The Human Blood Bank

Summary

The call came in the middle of the night. It was my colleague, Jessica. Her mom was in critical condition and needed Rh-negative blood.

I was a match. So I went and donated 400cc.

Her family didn't offer a single word of thanks. They didn't even make me a bowl of soup.

Six months later, the phone rang again. "The blood we got last time wasn't enough. We're going to have to trouble you again."

I held the phone to my ear and spelled it out, one word at a time. "A 400cc intravenous donation. Compensation for nutritional supplements, lost work, and emotional distress.