— “Look, Sam, I know you mean well, but this sounds like folk magic. There’s no science behind this.”
— “What’s ‘science’?” Sam asked with genuine curiosity.
— “It’s when doctors can prove something works through research and experiments.”
Sam thought for a moment.
— “My grandmother said not everything that works can be proven by a doctor. She said the heart has its own set of rules.”
Matthew, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up.
— “Mom, Dad, I want to try. Please.”
Andrew looked at Karen. She was clearly struggling.
— “Karen?”
She took a deep breath.
— “Fine. But if I see even a hint that Matthew is uncomfortable, or if anything seems wrong, we stop immediately.”
Sam beamed.
— “Of course. We can stop whenever Matthew wants.”
— “Where do you want to do this?” Karen asked.
Andrew thought for a second.
— “How about the patio? It’s quiet, there’s fresh air, and we have the comfortable outdoor lounge chairs.”
— “Perfect,” Sam said, standing up. “Can I see the spot first?”
Andrew led Sam to the backyard while Karen helped Matthew. The patio area was shaded, overlooking the pool and the garden.
— “This is great,” Sam said, looking around. “The sound of the water is good. It helps the energy. That’s what my grandmother said.”
When Matthew arrived, Sam helped him get settled in one of the reclining chairs. Andrew and Karen stayed close by, watching every move.
— “Matthew, I’m going to put the clay on your face now. It might feel a little cold at first, but it’ll warm up.”
— “Okay.”
Sam dipped his fingers into the jar and began to gently apply the clay around Matthew’s eyes. The boy sat perfectly still, breathing calmly.
— “How does it feel?” Sam asked.
— “Cold, but nice. Like I’m at the beach.”
Sam smiled and continued applying the clay in soft, circular motions.
— “Now, I’m going to tell you a story my grandmother told me. It’s about a boy who lost his colors.”
Andrew and Karen sat in nearby chairs, watching the scene with a mix of doubt and desperate hope.
— “Once upon a time, there was a boy who lived in a town where everything was very colorful. The houses were yellow, blue, and red. The flowers had every color in the world. But one day, something very scary happened to the boy.”
Matthew listened intently, his body completely relaxed.
— “What happened?” he asked.
— “A massive storm came through the town. The boy was so scared that he hid under his bed and closed his eyes as tight as he could. When the storm passed and he came out, he couldn’t see the colors anymore. Everything was gray.”
— “Oh no. What did he do?”
— “At first, he was very sad. He thought he’d never see the colors again. But then, a wise woman in town taught him a secret.”
Sam paused to check the clay on Matthew’s face.
— “What secret?”
— “She told him the colors hadn’t disappeared. They were just hiding inside him, waiting for him to be brave enough to look for them again.”
Andrew noticed that Matthew was completely absorbed. His face was more relaxed than Andrew had seen it in years.
— “And how did he find the colors?”
