Dear Jayme. 8th Letter.

Richard 24 June 2004

Your mother was inconsolable last night when you hinted suicide. It was not like you to say things like that. I tried my very best to calm her down but to no avail. In the end, I had to approach you, I needed you to comfort her. I knew that right now, she needed to know that you were joking.

“Mom’s still crying?” You asked when I walked into your room. 

You were looking out of the window, I would have thought you were spacing out if you hadn’t talked to me. 

“Yeah.” 

I sat down beside you and realised that your fluffy blonde hair has now turned into a darker shade, almost brown. 

“Look Jayme,” I began, “Your mother and I, we love you very much. The thing is Jayme-”

“I know, dad. I shouldn’t have said what I said,” you cut in, “I’ll go tell mother I said it in a fit of anger..”

 

I knew you were contemplating death seriously and was reluctant to tell your mother it was something said too quickly. As you got up from your bed to leave, I grabbed your hand, “If there’s anything you want to say, I’ll be here to listen, Jayme.” And just like that, you crumpled to the floor and broke down. I admit I have never comforted anyone other than your mother before, I have never shown my love but I prove it in the things I do.

It was awkward, me and you. I hugged you and you shuddered and cried like a baby. You rambled in bits and pieces that I would never understand. However, I did learn one thing that day- that every man needs a listening ear, that every man wants to be loved.