His eyes found mine. “Since when did you become so smart?”
I smiled softly. “You forget we both have Daddy issues.”
He chuckled. “How is it that you can make me smile, even in this kind of situation?”
I shrugged. “Consider it my superpower. Making people smile and laugh when they’re on the brink of destruction.”
“Says a lot about what you’ve been through.”
“Yeah, well. I can cry on your shoulder about it a different time.”
“Deal.”
I squeezed his hand tightly. “I hope you know this isn’t your fault.”
“Rae, don’t.”
“I’m serious, Clint. None of this is your fault. It’s got nothing do to with you. Some people just don’t know how to be parents. Your father doesn’t know how to be a parent. He only knows how to be a businessman, and everything else is a nuisance. Including your stepmother, I’m sure.”
“I hope she comes back tomorrow. I’ve liked having her around.”
I smiled. “That’s good. I take it you guys have been talking a bit?”
“A bit, sure. I mean, it’s been awkward. We don’t really know each other, despite the fact that she’s been around for a while. But, it’s been nice waking up and having her around. She’s helped a lot with the doctors. Relaying information. Shit like that.”
“Sounds like she’s finally figuring out how to step up as a parent.”
“And she doesn’t berate me for things like my father does.”
I swallowed back my growl. “If I could get your father in a room for just a few minutes…”
Clint smirked. “I’d like to hear what you might do to him.”
“For starters, I’d sneak in a baseball bat.”
“Old school. I like it.”
“His kneecaps wouldn’t.”
The two of us laughed softly as my eyes danced between his. Then Clint closed his eyes.
“I guess I just always wondered if he loved me or not. But now I guess I have my answer.”
I snuggled against him, trying to be his rock while his foundation eroded from underneath him.
“And the funny thing now, Rae, is that I’m starting to regret ever wondering at all. I guess ignorance really is bliss, at times.”
I looked back over my shoulder and saw Allison wiping at her tears. Even Michael’s eyes were glistening. I didn’t know what to say. As I looked to them for guidance, all they did was shrug their shoulders. None of us knew what to say. There were no words for the situation. I turned back around, finding Clint staring at me as I sighed.
“You can go, if they need to go,” he said.
I nodded. “If they need to leave, they can come back around and get me. Or I’ll catch a cab once a doctor kicks me out.”
Allison piped up. “Actually, you’ve been okayed to stay in here for a bit.”
I furrowed my brow. “Really?”
“Well, once we get you on this HIPAA form, yes.”