Noticing their reluctance to take a seat, Eugene didnât feel a twinge of embarrassment.
Instead, he reached for the kettle that had been sitting on the cluttered table for days and poured three glasses of water.
As he filled the glasses, memories of Colby resurfaced in his mind.
âThe last time I saw Colby, I really liked him.
He was sitting calmly on the bed, receiving his infusion.
His left hand was hooked up to the IV, while his right hand gripped a pencil, deeply engrossed in solving a mathematical problem.
It was remarkable to see such a young child excel at math.
We chatted for a bit, and he mentioned feeling bored.
With his parents tied up with work and unable to be with him every day, I made sure to spend some time chatting with him in the ward and brought along hisâ favorite mathematics book.
â
After pouring water into the glasses, Eugene nudged them in Nathan and Aldricâs direction.
Sprawled lazily on the sofa, he idly flipped through the pages of the book âPathological Psychologyâ Nathan had brought along.
âThis book belongs to me.
I swung by his ward the day before yesterday and found him buried in solving mathematical problems as usual, so I figured I would read it there.
Surprisingly, he took a liking to the book right away, so I kindly lent it to him.
Simple as that,â Eugene explained.
Nathan frowned and asked, âDid you consider that book was a bit too advanced for his age?â
Aldric chimed in, âEugene, Colbyâs just five.
Reading something like Pathological Psychology will do him no good.
Do you really want him turning out like the characters in that book?â
Eugene was skeptical.
âThe environment he grew up in, his experiences, and the struggles he faced from a young age have all molded his character.
A single book canât impact him so profoundly.
â
Nathan felt a sting in Eugeneâs words, as if they subtly criticized his adequacy as Colbyâs father.
He clenched his fist discreetly but held back a response.
Aldric, however, did not hold back.
âAs the saying goes, âHe that lieth down with dogs shall rise up with fleas.
â A child is born innocent.
If he develops an interest in inappropriate things youâve shown him and makes irreversible mistakes, that would be on you.
â
Eugene scoffed, dismissing Aldricâs concern outright.
Yet, Nathan was stirred by Aldricâs mention of âirreversible mistakes,â his thoughts drifting to a recent conversation with Colby in the ward.
Colby had spoken with unsettling conviction.
âEven if Daddy and Mommy arenât upset with him, I will punish him.
â
âTo kill him would be to make him disappear from the world forever, right? I donât want to see him anymore, so I want him to disappear.
â
Colbyâs disdain for Kyson was evident; he wasnât merely speaking childishly.
A chill ran through Nathan; he realized he couldnât fully grasp the depths of his five-year-old sonâs thoughts.
His anxiety mounting, Nathan decided, âIâm heading back to the ward.
You have a chat with Eugene here.
â
He left swiftly before more could be said.
âWhat? Nathan?â Aldric called out, but Nathan was already out of sight.
Left to handle Eugene alone, Aldric asserted, âEugene, whether it was intentional or not, you must not give Colby any more questionable books.
Even if he asks for them, you are not to indulge him.
If anything goes wrong with Colby in the future, Iâll hold you accountable.
â
Nathan hastened back to the ward, his thoughts swirling chaotically.
His heart was heavy with various emotions.
Over the years, he and Lucinda had tried to compensate for what Colby had been suffering.
They lavished him with love, possibly even more than they did on their daughter.
Nathan and Lucinda were burdened with numerous responsibilities, which often distracted them from their children.
Today, Nathan recognized that his focus on Colbyâs physical health might have caused him to overlook his sonâs psychological needs.