---

“I don’t know what happened. I had spoken to him just before coming up here. When we arrived his room was filled with doctors and nurses” mamaw was telling us

Apparently the doctor had decided to take my papaw into emergency surgery in the middle of the night to make two incesions on either side of his legs to relieve the swelling. Then earlier this morning after getting off the phone with mamaw he had a stroke. He is unconscious right now so the doctor is working on getting more information on what will happen next. I take a moment to call Taylor. I really wish she was here right now

“Hey girl how’s he doing?” she asks

“He..he, he had a stroke” I burst into tears

“Oh my god Cassie I’m so sorry” she tells me

We chat for a few minutes and she gets me to calm down. I talk to Brynlie Olivia and Oliver before hanging up and joining my family in the waiting area

“Has the doctor said anything” I asked

My mamaw pulled me into a hug and asked me to sit down.

“The MRI came back showing that papaw is brain dead and won’t be waking up. apparently two blood clots broke free and one traveled through his brain causing the stroke” my dad explains to me

“Wha…why…how can they know that, that’s not fair” I cried

After spending hours at the hospital Niall took me out to dinner to get my mind off of things. In the car ride over to the restaurant he started singing to make me feel better.

“Your hand fits in mine like it’s made just for me
But bear this in mind, it was meant to be.
And I’m joining up the dots with the freckles on your cheeks
And it all makes sense to me”

He goes on singing and grabs my hand as he sings my favorite verse.

“You’ll never love yourself half as much as I love you
And you’ll never treat yourself right darlin,
But I want you to.
If I let you know I’m here for you
Maybe you’ll love yourself, like I love you oh”

---

The night was lovely but now it’s time to go home to my harsh reality. When we walk through the door I can see my dad, Tessa and Nate in the dining room. Niall and I decide to go see how they are holding up.

“Hi daddy… any news on papaw” I ask

“Yeah uh mamaw called and said the doctor is going to keep him comfortable with pain medication for now and tomorrow he will be transferred to the hospice center. I’m sorry honey but papaw isn’t coming back” dad says tears rolling down his cheeks

I don’t say anything. My heart feels like it’s going to jump out of my chest and my stomach is turning. I can’t hold back the sobs, I just fall to the floor and lose myself. I can’t believe this is happening, I can’t lose my papaw, it’s just not fair.

It’s not fair.

Notes

Sorry this is a little on the short side but poor Cassie :(