Eddy looked into her miserable eyes and smiled. Blood coated his teeth, ran out of his mouth. “I can't tell you how proud of you I am,” he whispered.
“No,” Clarice said, pressing on his wounds harder. She pleaded. “Don't do this. Stay with me, Coach. Don't die on me.” Tears poured down her cheeks, warm on cold rain.
He let go of his sides. Gripped her hands. Pulled one to his lips and kissed it. The water became darker and Clarice whimpered.
“It's okay, darlin'. I've done everything I wanted to do. I had a great life.” He squeezed hard. “I even had a daughter, a special girl that made my life worth living. You gave me purpose. I would have died of boredom years ago if I hadn't known you.” He chuckled, coughed, and blood started flowing out of his mouth without cease. The sight of it cau
