The question was blunt, catching Andrew off guard.
— “No, son. We were hurt, but we weren’t dying.”
— “But there was so much blood, and Mom wouldn’t wake up.”
— “There was blood, yeah, but they were just cuts. And Mom was unconscious, but she was okay.”
— “How do you know?”
— “Because I was awake. I knew we were hurt, but I knew we were going to be alright.”
Matthew started to cry softly.
— “I thought you were going to leave me all alone.”
Andrew felt his heart breaking. He took his son’s hand.
— “Matthew, listen to me. Mom and I are never going to leave you. Never. No matter what happens.”
— “How can you be sure?”
— “Because being your dad is the most important thing in my life. Nothing in this world could make me leave you.”
Matthew cried for a few minutes while Andrew held him. When he calmed down, Andrew continued.
— “Matthew, do you think maybe you closed your eyes that day so you wouldn’t have to see the bad stuff?”
Matthew thought about it.
— “Maybe. I remember being so scared of seeing blood again, or seeing you guys hurt.”
— “And now? Are you still scared?”
— “A little. But Sam said I’m brave, and that brave people can look at the bad stuff and still see the good stuff.”
— “Sam’s right. And you know what? If you decide you want to see again, you’re going to see so many beautiful things. Way more good things than bad.”
— “How do you know?”
— “Because there’s a lot of good in this world, Matthew. Sometimes we just forget to look for it.”
The next day, Sam held a third session with Matthew. This time, he told a story about a brave boy who had to walk through a dark forest to save his parents.
— “The boy was terrified of the forest,” Sam said as he applied the clay. “But he knew his parents needed him.”
— “What was in the forest that he was so scared of?”
— “There were animals making strange noises. There were tall trees that blocked out the sun. There were places where he couldn’t see where he was stepping.” Sam paused. “But do you know what the boy found when he actually went inside?”
— “What?”
— “That most of the noises were just birds singing. That the tall trees protected him from the hot sun. And that even though he couldn’t see every step, his feet knew the way.”
— “And did he save his parents?”
— “He did. But the most important thing wasn’t that he saved them. It was that he discovered he was much braver than he thought.”
When Sam removed the clay this time, Matthew opened his eyes and sat very still. Then, he slowly smiled.
— “Dad,” he said, “you’re wearing a blue shirt.”
Andrew looked down. He was indeed wearing a light blue button-down.
— “Matthew!” Karen cried out. “Can you see me?”
