NO LONGER THERE

CLUSTER TWELVE

PRIORITIES

"He's no longer on the trial, Avery Grace."

Lillian reported that Clarence's progress had stalled. The medication was no longer controlling his symptoms and the stroke made him ineligible for that or any other trials.

"What does this mean?" I asked as I gripped Bryce's hand.

"We don't know yet," Lillian answered. "Getting through this is the priority. From there, we will see."

She sat next to Clarence's bed and stroked his hand. I knew she knew more than she was saying. Her actions showed it. I also knew I was glad she kept it to herself. I couldn't take anymore stressful news that day.

Hershey and Nana remained in the waiting room. Neither could face the reality of seeing Clarence sedated and  helpless.

"Bryce, what am I going to do?" My tears stained his shirt.

"We will get through this together, Aves. Just like we will do everything else."

Raina cancelled my book tour and other engagements. She didn't even bother to ask. I video chatted with Olivia during the drive to the hospital. She saw through my farce and promised to keep working on her speaking assignments until I felt better. All I had to do was sit next to my daddy, and pray.

Twelve hours later, Lillian, Nana and Hershey left to get some rest. Bryce walked them to the parking garage and stopped by the gift shop on his way back. When he walked in, he handed me a large plastic bag.

"What's this?" I asked.

"Jesus Christ, Aves," he mocked.  "Could you try opening the bag before asking questions?" 

I chuckled and opened the bag to find wedding magazines. I looked up at him and smiled.

"We can look through these while we wait." He offered.

I wiped my face with the back of my hand and flipped through the first magazine, straight to a photo of a bride dancing with her father. Bryce held me and I held my daddy's hand. Would I have this chance, this moment? My heart wanted to give me an answer that my brain could not accept, so I stood caught between them both, and wept.

I fell asleep leaning on Clarence's bed and Bryce felt asleep on me. It was morning we I woke and I witnessed the most amazing thing my world, a  set of brown, almond shaped eyes gazing at me.

"Daddy." I whispered, choking myself with jubilation.

His voice was scratchy as he strained. "Babygirl."

I jumped so hard Bryce slumped forward nearly falling to the floor.

"Oh my God, Daddy, I was so scared."

"Why? Ain't a thing gonna happen to your old man."

I leaned over and hugged him. Clarence peered over my shoulder and asked, "Prince Charming, she picked a date yet?"

"We're getting there, Mr. Reed."

"You're gonna marry my babygirl— one day." He cut those amazing eyes at me. "So, call me, Dad."

"How are you throwing shade right now, Daddy?" I laughed.

"Like ole Black Jack threw my Black ass, quick, fast and thirty feet in the air... that motherfucker."

Bryce and I hugged and laughed. Clarence's speech was slurred, but he was definitely understood as only Clarence the Bull Rider James Reed could be. I love my daddy.

***

One month after Clarence recovered enough to go home, I went away, far away.