New Feelings

Quality Time

We made our way back into the room, with the little kid all smiles. I was moved by his resolution. He was the same way his grandpa was those few years ago. I could not help but feel guilty about the whole situation, letting my feelings get the better of me and coming into this situation where Matthew had to suffer the effect of my not doing my job properly... As I had done all the years before that.

Entering the place of sorrow, the child just sat on his bed. Closing in, I take a glance at my human form before sitting in the same position. In a blink, the time starts flowing again, me still holding Matthew's arm. He was turned towards me, the same expression on his face.

"Thank you, Uncle Sam!"

"For what, kiddo?" I asked surprised

"For being here for me."

I smiled back as I rose from my chair, wrapping my hands around him in a tight hug.

Turning towards the family, I could see a smile on Matthew's parents, relieved by the fact that the kid was showing to be somewhat better. If I could have only told them the truth, which pressed so hard and harshly on me. James sat on the bed, his eyes bloodshot from the lost nights, caressing his young one's cheek.

"Hey, Matt. What would you like to do? Your treatment is still a few hours away. Now that your Aunt and Uncle are here we can do whatever you want."

"Ehm... I just want to spend time with you! I don't know. What if we play that board game I like? The one I keep under my bed. I'd love that." the little kid said.

Petting his head, James rose from the bed. Giving us a slight head nod, he went back home to pick up the game, leaving everyone else to speak with Matthew. As he came back, I took one of the bed tables, bringing it in front of the little kid. Everyone else place themselves as comfortably as possible, either on the bed or on the chairs, as the game was opened and prepped. The game took hours, and as the time arrived for Matthew's next pills, we broke it up for a bit. Even so, everyone stood to watch during the night, spending time with him, when he would wake up from a bad cough fit. The following day, we would play another round of his favourite game. We would chat about different subjects or just spend time with him, watching his preferred TV show or holding him and being there for him.

Everyone wanted as much time as possible with the little wonder. But how much stuff can you fit into the small timeline given? How much can you do, when you don't know when it will be the last time he will hold you, you would speak to him, do something with him. Everyone was chasing that which was slowly trickling away...

... Quality time...