James first realized something wasn’t quite right when he could hear their voices.

Wait a minute, he thought. Shouldn’t I still be under? The operation just started.

“Ok, open him up.” James was consumed by panic when he heard the saw start up. He worried that he would be one of those patients who was awake the whole time the operation was going on. He clenched his teeth, waiting for the pain. Yet oddly enough, as he heard the cracking of breaking bone, there was none.

So, cautiously, he opened his eyes. He was greeted by the sight of the surgeons huddled around his body below him. James was floating somewhere in the corner of the ceiling, the bustling scene of his surgery occurring before his eyes.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?”

James turned to see another man, younger than himself, leaning against the ceiling next to him. “Who are you?” he asked.

The young man pointed. James followed the man’s outstretched hand to see another person next to his body, the surgery mirroring his own.

“I’m your new heart.” James quickly turned back to the young man, surprised. “But you can call me Mike.” The other’s face had a small, sad smile. He looked up at James. His eyes were surprisingly green.

“I…I’m sorry.” James’ throat felt tight.

“Why? What did you do?” He looked a little amused.

James was taken aback. “Well, I’m stealing your heart.”

“Stealing!?” Mike let out a laugh. “Are you serious?”

“Hey, I’m just trying to be nice. I feel…”

“You feel bad, huh?” asked Mike. “Don’t. You had nothing to do with it. Do you see that, that thing down there?” He crossed his arms over his chest and motioned with his head.

“Your body?” James frowned, confused. “I wouldn’t call it a ‘thing.’ It’s yours.”

“Was mine. Was. Not anymore. Hasn’t been for a few days. Sure, the hearts beatin’, but there’s nothing up there.” Mike leaned closer to James, tapping his own forehead, to accent his point.

“What happened?”

“Do you ever feel that life is perfect? Hey, what’s your name?” Mike laughed again, and gave the older man a smack on the back. “You must think I’m rude.”

“A bit, yes.”

“Your name?”

“Oh,” this time James laughed. “James.”

Mike nodded. “Good name.” The two floated in silence for a bit watching the frantic scene below them, listening to the frantic voices and the beeping of machinery.

“James, it’s almost Christmas you know?” He turned to look at James. His eyes seemed misty.

“Yeah I know.”

“I don’t want you to feel bad about having my heart. I give it willingly. Do you have any kids?”

“Yeah, two. One’s in college and one has just gotten engaged.”

“I got two of my own. Little guys.” Mike paused, his green, green eyes lost in the distance. “One favor, James, I just got one favor.”

“Anything, I’ll do anything.”

So Mike told him what to do.

“Please James. Then I’ll know that life’s perfect. Well, you have to get back. It’s time.”

“Time for what?”

But James was already sinking, his body feeling heavier and heavier. He looked up, saw Mike waving, and the blackness crept in. The last color he saw was green.

*****

“Good afternoon, James,” the doctor smiled down at him. His body felt on fire, his chest hurt, and pain filled every fiber of his soul. “I know it hurts, but I have good news. The transplant looks like it has taken. I think this has been a success. You should have a good rest of your life, James”

“Doctor?” The doctor leaned in a bit closer. “Could you tell Michael’s family I said thanks?”

The doctor recoiled, his eyes flashing surprise. It was quickly covered by a plastic smile. “I don’t think you are feeling well. You may be hallucinating. I’ll get a nurse.” He hurried out, the shout for a nurse ringing down the hallway.

James strained to hear the voices of the doctor and the nurse in the hallway. “You told him didn’t you? It’s against the rules you know!” He heard one say. “I didn’t, I swear. He was unconscious the whole time I was in there!”

James relaxed, sinking into his pillow, and smiled.

That Christmas, Mike’s two children, seven and five, received presents from Santa. His wife got a “thank you” card from James. For the moment, life wasn’t so bad.