My Sister's Keeper

The hearing begins, but instead of Campbell continuing his case, Sara asks permission to call a witness because the witness will not be available later. Sara calls Dr. Beata Neaux to the stand. Dr. Neaux is a child psychiatrist who testifies that Anna will be more traumatized by refusing to give Kate a kidney and watching her die than she would be by going through major surgery. When Campbell cross-examines Dr. Neaux, she says that Anna needs a responsible adult to make medical decisions for her, but Campbell points out that Sara is not capable of fulfilling this role because of her determination to save Kate at all costs.

Julia takes the stand next. Campbell asks for Julia’s recommendations, and she explains that she believes the entire Fitzgerald family has been influenced by Kate’s illness and none of them can make an unbiased decision as to whether or not Anna should donate a kidney. She also says she does not believe Anna is mature enough to make medical decisions for herself, but that she does not believe it would be in Anna’s best interest to donate a kidney.

Judge DeSalvo asks Julia what her final recommendation is, and she says she cannot make one because making a decision in this case is like being the biblical Solomon and having to “split a family” (372). It is then that Anna tells Campbell she will testify.

As Anna takes the stand, she is nervous; however, she gets a good look at Campbell and focuses on him. Campbell’s dog Judge is alerting, but he chooses not to respond. Instead, he hushes the dog at the direction of Judge DeSalvo.

Anna recalls when Kate was diagnosed with kidney failure two months ago. The doctors didn’t know for certain what caused the kidney failure, but it became clear that Kate would die without a transplant. However, due to her medical history, she had to have a kidney that was a perfect match, discounting all donations other than Anna’s. Sara immediately asked Anna to donate, but once their parents left the room, Kate asked Anna not to do it. On the stand, Campbell asks Anna who convinced her to petition the court for medical emancipation. She tells him that Kate did. As she speaks, Campbell falls to the floor.

Brian rushes to treat Campbell as he experiences a grand mal seizure. Campbell is moved into Judge DeSalvo’s chambers, where Campbell regains consciousness. Embarrassed to have had a seizure in front of the courtroom, Campbell quickly begins to clean himself up, grateful to borrow a pair of Brian’s pants.

Campbell takes the opportunity to explain to Julia that he’s been having seizures since a car accident on the last night they were together in high school. He explains that the doctors couldn’t figure out why the seizures began, and he didn’t want Julia to have to deal with his medical issues. Julia chastises Campbell for not allowing her to make her own decision regarding their relationship and insists she still wants to be with him.

Anna now understands why Campbell took her case: He knows what it feels like to not have control over his own body. Campbell puts Anna back on the stand. Anna describes a day when Kate attempted to die by suicide, but couldn’t go through with it. Kate told Anna that she was tired of waiting to die. She then asked her not to donate her kidney. When Sara cross-examines Anna, she argues that Kate didn’t truly mean she wanted to die; Anna insists she didn’t fabricate her story. Campbell redirects and asks Anna if she understands that Kate will die without a kidney. Anna admits she does, and that she doesn’t want her sister to die, but wants to honor Kate’s request. She says she told Kate that she was going to stop being her donor, and Kate thanked her.

Judge DeSalvo decides to speak to Kate directly. He speaks to Kate for a few minutes, then tells everyone that they can present their closing arguments first thing in the morning. Everyone goes home except for Sara, who plans to spend the night with Kate. Kate offers to explain herself to Sara, but Sara says it isn’t necessary.