The 8 Second Ride

Lonely Eyes

I didn't want to leave you guys hanging so I updated a little faster. I got told by a friend of mine that I needed to update now. And here is a picture of some roper, bull riders and bronc riders. Hope you like this chapter.

"Clara!!!!!!!" I yell and jump across the chutes and across the arena.

Max isn't letting anyone get near her. I walk up to him and he calms down enough for me to grab his reins. I take him to my sister and she is standing crying into Echo's neck.

I run back over to Clara and the paramedic team and other guys are crowded around her. I can't get to her but from what I can tell she go hit on the right side of her chest.

They have her up on a board and carrying her out of the arena. Jo abandons the horses and runs over to Clara. Max tries to run back to Clara but one of the bull riders grabs him and puts him in the gate for the bulls. I run besi, she is covered in blood and has someone's shirt tied around her chest.

The Paramedics get her transferred to a gurney and start to put her in the ambulance.

"Ladies and Gentlemen we would like to inform you that the rodeo will be canceled for tonight. Now please exit the rodeo grounds in an orderly fashion and let the ambulance go through first." the announcer says and people start to get up and leave.

I get into the ambulance with Clara and my sister. As soon as we sit down I hug Jo to me and we stay there watching the Paramedics try and keep Clara stable.

We get to the hospital and they quickly get the her out and rush inside.

They start saying things to the doctor, but I don't listen just stare at Clara's face.

"Sir, you will have to stay in the waiting room." the doctor tells me and closes the door to the emergency room.

"Jason, she is going to be okay isn't she?" Jo cries into my shoulder.

"Yeah she will pull through, I just met Clara but I can tell that she is a fighter." I say and take Jo to sit on the couch.

Soon enough several bull riders, barrel racers and ropers are sitting in the waiting room with us. We all say a prayer and tell each other that she is going to be okay. Rodeo people are a close and supportive community. Even though they just met Clara they came to support her. With all of us sitting here still in our clothes from the rodeo we look strange to all the other people sitting here waiting for their family and friends.

The doctor comes in and his eye get wide at how many people are sitting there waiting for Clara.

"Are you here for Clara O'Brien?" he asks and we all nod our heads.

"There is good news and bad news. Clara will be just fine, the bullet didn't hit any major organs but she went into a coma about an hour ago and we don't know when she will wake up. Her family is on the way, but they want to talk to all the people that are here waiting. So if I could have you stay here until they get." he says and we all nod and go back to talking to each other.

We stay there until Clara's parents get there and then everyone goes back to the rodeo grounds. When I get outside I ask my friend Kyle for a ride back. When we get back to the grounds Jo goes and grabs the horses and then brings them back.

I get into the trailer and grab my bottle of Jack Daniels. That night I drown myself in Jack Daniels and moonshine trying to drown out the memories of Clara being shot.

2 Months Later

I have been consistently drunk for the past two months.

Right now I am at a bar, I don't even remember the name and grinding against a girl that is wearing clothes that don't leave much to the imagination. She stops and pulls me outside and into my truck. Lets just say things got pretty hot and heavy after that.

4 Months Later

This morning I woke up with a stranger in my bed and a massive head ache.

I try to go and visit Clara but when I get into the parking lot of the hospital I feel completely guilty for the things I have done. So I leave and go to a bar, get drunk and wake up with a stranger in my bed or in a strangers bed.

6 Months Later (This is 6 months after Clara got shot.)

I wake up and I go to the practice arena with a hang over and a bruise on eye. When I get there Jack comes over to me and pats me on the back.

"Jason if you don't stop your going to die before she wakes up. Tonight me and you are going to stay at your place and watch some football. The will be no alcohol, no extra woman and no leaving my place tonight." I sigh and nod in response.

After riding about five bulls and helping with amateur riders me and Jack head to his place to watch some football.

We are half way through the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings game when my phone rings and its my sister. I answer and greet her.

"She's awake." that's all she could say before I stand up and run out the door.