Arnaz was all set to take the 90-day hibernation until getting approached by Stillman Biology Professor Renee Hill. She handed him with a letter from Fisk University, which read: “Congratulations, you’ve been accepted into our pre-medicine program for the summer."

“I got accepted; this must be some kind of joke," Arnaz said.

“Congratulations, you’re heading to Nashville," Dr. Hill said.

“I can’t accept this," Arnaz said. “I’m a Journalism major, not pre-med."

Dr. Hill, who highly recommended Arnaz to the summer program at the Historically Black University, tried talking sense into him. “Those folks don’t care about that; you better take your ass to the Grand Ole’ Opry."

Arnaz walked into Stillman’s Communications building for a year-ending chat with his Faculty Advisor, S.F. Gates: “Fisk invited me to their pre-med institute; I’m turning them down."

Gates, a free-wheeling professor, encouraged his pupil to take the offer of free room, board and meal: “No one’s asking you give up being the next Howard Cosell, go up there and have fun."

Arnaz wavered like a politician being pressed on the issues before reluctantly changing his mind. “Okay Ill go," he said. “When I have a bad time, you and Dr. Hill won’t hear the end of it."

The day before leaving for the Volunteer state, Clara treated him to a barbeque feast of chicken, ribs, baked beans, potato salad and banana pudding. She chose the Fourth of July theme because this will be their first Independence Day apart since he was born. She planned for their first 4th of July away from each other after he graduated college and got a job. They also took a trip down memory lane after dinner, looking through the family Photo Album.

Clara got overwhelmed stumbling onto a photo of her late husband and Arnaz’s father, Maurice. The Booker patriarch died in a car accident when Arnaz was four. “Your father would be proud seeing you go onto med school," she said, as tears flowed down her face.

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