Page 51 of Gravity

She’s been crying. Why has she been crying?

“What’s wrong? What’s happened?” I ask, a lump in my throat that’s almost choking.

“Nothing is wrong, sweetheart,” Mom says with a soft smile. “Your dad has had some nasty seizures that’s all. He’s comfortable now.”

“Do we know why he had them?”

“He had a beer,” Asher adds. “Were they because of the beer?”

Doctor Newman shakes his head. “It’s most likely to do with his previous stroke. Poststroke seizures normally happen within a few hours after. However, for some patients, it’s also common to develop late-onset seizures which we believe is what is happening with your father.”

“So, it will happen again?” I ask, hating every minute of this conversation.

Doctor Newman smiles flatly. “It’s very likely.”

I look at Mom and see worry in her eyes, but she quickly corrects herself, straightening her stance and holding her head up—the same way she always used to respond when Dad was deployed. It’s her bravery pose, and this time it only makes me feel sick when she does it.

“Mom?”

“I’m afraid your father is high risk. And it isn’t going to get any easier for him.”

“Jesus Christ,” Asher exhales, taking a seat at the side of us and holding his head in his hands. The agony in the pit of my stomach is gripping as I try once again to hold it together, but my emotions rise to the surface. Like he knows I need the strength, I feel the light touch of Grayson’s fingers entwining with mine as he stands behind me.

“What does this mean for Dad? How bad can they get?” I ask Dr. Newman.

“The intensity of each one may depend as there’s such a wide scale of them. Some will be vacant episodes, others more severe. Unfortunately, your father’s seizures were on the higher end of the scale—”

“What does that mean?” I ask, feeling my heart squeeze with the answer I know I’m going to hear.

Sympathetic eyes hold mine. “I’m afraid those types can be life threatening, if not fatal.”

I gasp, falling back into Grayson and shaking my head. “No. No, that can’t be right. Mom, that can’t be right.”

“I’m so sorry, Nora.”

“So not only could he die if he has another stroke, now he has the added chance with seizures?”

“I’m very sorry I couldn’t give you better news.”

Like I’ve no control anymore, my body breaks, and I burst into tears with the news. Why? Why does this have to happen? What has Dad done in this life to deserve this? All the years he’s spent fighting for his country and this is the thanks he gets.

“This isn’t fair,” I whisper.

Grayson’s arms wrap around me from behind in a hold so secure it’s as though he’s afraid of letting go, but as much as I need him, I need to see Dad more.

“I need to see him. When can we see him?”

“He is available for visitors now. I can take you when you’re ready.”

“You go, Nora,” Mom says. “I need to speak with Dr. Newman once he’s shown you to your father’s room. I’ll be right with you once we’re done.”

I look at Asher, who I’ve noticed hasn’t spoken a word. His head is still hanging down, and his shoulders look heavy.

“Ash, are you coming?”

“You go. I just need a minute.”

As we head down the corridor, each step feels like I’m heading down death row. The fear in my stomach from what I’m about to face is unbearable.