Simon screamed, but the sound caught in his throat. He couldn’t. He did not want to make it real. He knew
someday his father would die. But not now, please, God, not now! He felt his whole life becoming barren; a vast
emptiness covered with a permanent, dark stain.
He stopped pushing Avrom’s limp form and sat back on his heels just staring at his father’s motionless face.
Simon felt all of Avrom’s sweetness. His heart smiled as his tears fell. He reached out and said, “Don’t make me
bring in the coyotes, Dad,” and touched Avrom gently with the tips of his little fingers.
His father opened an eye. Avrom saw Simon’s tears and watched fear turning to joy in his son’s face. Avrom burst
into laughter as Simon hugged him, squeezing with all his might.
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