Something inside Thomas shakes him like an earthquake. The natural solution would be to return the bear to Alexander, since Christopher doesn’t need it anymore, and it would be a way to remember his older brother. But with the way Matthew’s grip seems to suddenly strengthen around the toy, perhaps the true solution lies elsewhere.
‘Math.’ Thomas places a hand on Matthew’s shoulder and it stiffens under his touch. ‘Keep it. He’d want you to have it.’
Though he can’t see his face, Thomas has a feeling he’s fighting back tears.
‘And I can do this on my own if you need a moment to yourself,’ he continues. ‘It’s more than alright.’
To Thomas’s surprise, a strangled-sounding laugh bursts from Matthew’s mouth. He shakes his head and looks up at Thomas: his eyes are rimmed red, tears streaking his cheeks, but he’s smiling.
‘No, Tom,’ he says gently, ‘it’s alright. As you say, the world doesn’t stop because you feel overwhelmed.’ Glancing down fondly at the bear in his hands, he runs his thumbs over its furry cheeks. ‘Besides, we need to honour our lad in some way, don’t we? Even if it’s simply giving his things a new purpose. Not the bear, of course. I shall keep it in a safe place.’
To emphasise his point, Matthew tries to tuck the toy into one of his waistcoat pockets. It sticks out rather comically, its poor legs squashed and half its body slumped over the edge, but its new home is sure and true.
...
‘I’m going to tell you what a wise woman said to me once,’ he tells her, his throat tight, ‘when my world was crashing down and I didn’t know which way was up. When I was too focused on making sure everyone else was alright and forgot about myself.’
Cecily’s lips curve into a dry smile, obviously aware of what Thomas is referring to. ‘And what piece of wisdom did this woman bestow upon you, Thomas?’
Thomas tells her verbatim, in an almost casual manner as one does when stating what’s for tea. He says it clearly and firmly and with as much passion as he can muster, because that’s how much he believes in the words. They meant so much to him all these months, and they continue to mean so much to him now.
At first, when the words settle in the air between them, nothing happens. Cecily merely gawks at him, her eyes round, startled, and Thomas gazes at her beseechingly.
...
‘So cry, my child. Cry, and cry, and cry until you cannot cry anymore.’