I am a child again, and all I want is for my father to be here. All I want is for him to stay. His embrace is long and gentle. Cupping the back of my head, forehead against mine. I look at him pleadingly. Still weighed by my arm. I want to tell him what I should have, three nights ago. He told me that all he wanted was for me to be my own man. But all I ever wanted, all I still want, is to be like him. I want to tell him that I love him. I want to tell him just how much I love him. One last time. I mouth the words. His eyes soften and he mouths it back. His arms slacken. He grits his teeth and
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