Tim was awake, holding onto his mom’s hand, when Tom wheeled himself into his room. Tim’s face broke out into a smile at seeing his handsome Tom’s face.
Eileen got up and kissed Tim on his temple, then walked to stand over Tom. He looked her in the eyes nervously and she bent down and threw her arms around his shoulders and hugged him tight. She drew back and looked him in the eye.
“Thanks for bringing him back safe. You are a very brave man, Tom,” she said, and kissed him on his cheek. Eileen excused herself and left them alone. Tom couldn’t bring himself to make eye contact with Tim. Tim saw the awkwardness in Tom’s posture and didn’t know how to approach him.
“Tom, I love you,” he blurted.
He looked up at Tim and a tear escaped his eye. More followed and soon Tom was shaking with he
