Shaun smiled, he knew what was coming.
The giant bear hugs that his dad handed out were always prefaced with a grin which took up so much of the available space on his face that his eyes were forced from their normal territory. His face was sympathetically wrinkled. One large mole protruded from above his right eyebrow. It too gave him a kind look. The hug itself was the most deeply comforting experience, it transmitted love and genuine joy. It lit something in his soul.
He had not always lived with his dad, so these hugs were like the brief appearance of woodland bluebell carpets. They could never lose their novelty. For five years they would see each other in bursts. The best part of these bursts was always the twenty minutes before they began, as soon as they were together time was already running out. Each passing moment was a reminder that it would come to an end.
Shaun felt that all encompassing embrace and for a moment he was a child resting his head on those impossibly large shoulders, listening to a story and trying to stay awake. He could vaguely picture his old duvet cover and the strange orange walls of his bedroom. Somewhere in that memory was the same contentment he felt once again. It came from being loved.
As they embraced, his fathers chest shook as emotion rattled his living being. They held each other even tighter, their clothes crumpling and folding into a single mesh of fabric. His father held his head. Even though they were now the same size Shaun felt small.
They looked at each other and laughed despite the tears and the snot which ran freely.
He was a special boy, Shaun, and we will always think of him.
I know, Dad. I really loved him.
The giant bear hugs that his dad handed out were always prefaced with a grin which took up so much of the available space on his face that his eyes were forced from their normal territory. His face was sympathetically wrinkled. One large mole protruded from above his right eyebrow. It too gave him a kind look. The hug itself was the most deeply comforting experience, it transmitted love and genuine joy. It lit something in his soul.
He had not always lived with his dad, so these hugs were like the brief appearance of woodland bluebell carpets. They could never lose their novelty. For five years they would see each other in bursts. The best part of these bursts was always the twenty minutes before they began, as soon as they were together time was already running out. Each passing moment was a reminder that it would come to an end.
Shaun felt that all encompassing embrace and for a moment he was a child resting his head on those impossibly large shoulders, listening to a story and trying to stay awake. He could vaguely picture his old duvet cover and the strange orange walls of his bedroom. Somewhere in that memory was the same contentment he felt once again. It came from being loved.
As they embraced, his fathers chest shook as emotion rattled his living being. They held each other even tighter, their clothes crumpling and folding into a single mesh of fabric. His father held his head. Even though they were now the same size Shaun felt small.
They looked at each other and laughed despite the tears and the snot which ran freely.
He was a special boy, Shaun, and we will always think of him.
I know, Dad. I really loved him.
