Still With Me by Thierry Cohen

can I do? Is it possible to regain his confidence? And tomorrow, will I become the father he fears again?
    Jeremy sat down next to him. Thomas lifted his head with an inquisitive look.
    “He’s fine. They gave him a few stitches.”
    “Did it hurt?” Thomas asked weakly.
    “No. He’s sleeping now.” Jeremy took his hand and wanted to draw him closer, but Thomas resisted, bursting into tears. Jeremy took him by the shoulders, feeling more opposition. He insisted, and Thomas finally gave in.
    “Everything’s going to be fine. You acted very grown up. I admire your courage. You were afraid, weren’t you?”
    Thomas sniffed, replying with a nod.
    “And you didn’t show it. So you wouldn’t scare him. I’m proud of you, Son.” Hearing these words, Thomas removed his face from his father’s shoulder to look at him, perplexed.
     
    “It’s true. I’m really very proud of you.” They sat pressed against each other.
    I’m supposed to love him, protect him, comfort him. But I feel so young. I’m not ready for these responsibilities .
    A ringtone sounded. Thomas sat up. He reached into his pocket and took out a cell phone. “It’s Mom. You tell her?”
    Jeremy took the phone. “Victoria?”
    “Jeremy? Where’s Thomas? I left my phone with him.”
    “He’s next to me.”
    “Is that so? What are you doing?”
    “Don’t get upset, but…we’re at the hospital.”
    “What? Why? What happened?” Victoria almost screamed.
    “It’s Simon. He cut himself.”
    “He cut himself? How? My God!” Victoria panicked.
    “Victoria, calm down. Everything’s fine, I assure you. Simon’s fine. They gave him stitches. He’s resting.”
    “They gave him…What are you talking about? What happened?”
    “He broke a jar and fell on a piece of glass. It’s an ugly cut on the forearm, but nothing serious, really.”
    “Are you telling me the truth?”
     
    “Yes. Of course.” Jeremy paused. “I feel responsible, Victoria…”
    “I don’t care what you feel! What did the doctors say?”
    “I don’t know yet. We’re waiting to hear from the one taking care of him. Don’t get worked up.”
    “Don’t get worked up? Are you serious? I’m gone a few hours and my son winds up in the hospital and you tell me not to get worked up.” Victoria started thinking out loud. “What can I do? I can’t come right away. I’m two hundred miles away, and I don’t have a car.”
    “Find a way,” Jeremy said, thinking only of himself. “Simon’s going to need you.” As soon as he said this, he felt guilty for taking advantage of the situation.
    “The next train is tomorrow morning. I…I don’t know what to do.”
    Tomorrow? That word doesn’t mean anything to me anymore. I’m not going to see her. I’m going to lose her again .
    Jeremy wanted to beg her to come, but Victoria’s anxiety kept him quiet. What would she think of him if he whined?
    “My son is in the hospital, and I’m stuck here. He’s going to ask for me,” she moaned.
     
    “No, he’s going to sleep. If he wakes up, I’ll tell him you’re on your way.”
    Victoria was quiet for a moment. Jeremy could hear her sigh. Or was she crying? Eventually, she regained her composure. “And Thomas, how did he react?”
    “He was very brave.”
    “Put him on.”
    He handed the phone to his son.
    Jeremy was happier after speaking with Victoria. And terribly disappointed by the idea of not seeing her.
    Before hanging up, Thomas looked up at his father. “You know, Mom, it’s not Dad’s fault. It was an accident. Dad took really good care of us. You want to talk to him again?” From the look Thomas gave him, Jeremy knew Victoria had said no. Thomas hung up. He turned to Jeremy and shrugged his shoulders to show there was nothing he could do.
    “She’s coming tomorrow,” Thomas said as consolation.
    “She’s mad at me, isn’t she?”
    Thomas lowered his eyes.
    “I haven’t been very good to her lately, have I?”
    The boy said