Fall From Grace

Chapter Ten

Charming, CA - 1984

Gracie

I take the officers large hand as he guides me out of the police cruiser and we're standing in a busy automotive repair shops parking lot. Several motorcycles are aligned near the main building and loud greasy men are moving all around us laughing and cussing. I watch silently as a tall, muscular man with dark hair and a mustache walks confidently out of the office area towards us - keeping his eyes on the policeman when he stands before us with his hands on his hips.

I stand like that all the time.

"Can I help you, officer?" His voice is deep, vibrating my chest as I tilt my head up to look up at him in wonder. Most of the men my mom entertains are scrawny and quiet and this man is anything but. He looks like a giant standing before us.

"You Clarence Morrow?"

"Yes sir. Clay is fine." He finally looks down at me and smiles before returning his attention to the officer. His eyes are bright blue and oddly familiar.

"Do you know a Kathleen Reed-Morrow?"

Clay looks down at me again and nods. "Kitty. My ex-wife... we've been divorced about... five years now. I haven't seen her since it was finalized. Bitch threw a brick at the windshield of my '76 Nova in the court house parking lot."

I look down at my hands, picking at my fingernails as nervousness fills my chest. After they sent my mom away they told me they were taking me to my dad, a man I've never met. What if he doesn't want me? What happens to me then?

"Ms. Reed was arrested this morning in Carson County Nevada. Drug related charges. She's made some dangerous friends the past several years Mr. Morrow and we thought it best if your daughter comes to stay with you."

Clay looks back to the officer quickly. "My... daughter?"

"You were listed on her birth certificate and besides Kathleen, her only living relative." The officer seems to give him a moment to process this information before continuing. "We can set up a paternity test to verify these allegations and there are foster care options available if you would rather go that route, Mr. Morrow. I'll just need to verify your identity and get some signature's."

"Foster... what? This is my kid?"

"This is Gracie."

Clay is looking at me with wide confused eyes now, turning back to the office and then towards the workers who have all stopped to stare at us now. He motions for one of them then looks at me again.

"No kid of mine is going to be in some damn foster care! Why the fuck didn't Kitty tell me I had a kid?!" I flinch at Clay's raised voice and then he reaches for me, ushering me to his side. "Bobby - go find Gemma." Clay turns to the officer - standing protectively in front of me now. "No foster care."

"Very good, Mr. Morrow. I just need a few signature's from you then and I'll be on my way. I have the paperwork with me in the car for your paternity testing."

I was only five but I swear I don't remember ever going to have my DNA tested with Clay. He never denied me from day one.

I glance up as a pretty lady comes to stand beside me quickly, looking between me and Clay then to the officer. Clay meets her gaze - quietly assuring her that he has things under control and then she kneels down to my level and gives me a comforting smile.

"Hi baby. I'm Gemma. Do you want some candy? I've got a whole jar of jelly beans in the office. I don't let any of these nasty boy's touch them." A giggle escapes me as I nod and she takes my hand, glancing back to Clay with wide eyes as she ushers me across the parking lot and into the small office.