Ron looked at his friend sitting in the chair shaking his head. He was fighting back emotions that he hadn’t dealt with since he found out about the cancer. He hadn’t shared with anyone yet and he wasn’t prepared like he thought he would be. In Ron’s mind Men Don’t get all emotional.
David stood up, he looked at Ron and instantly saw the hurt in his friends face. Ron’s facial expression changed and he shook his head from side to side. David walked up to him and put his arms around his friend, as Ron started to cry. Ron collapsed against his friend and just let go as emotions started to take control.
David found strength he didn’t know he had to hold Ron up. He never expected his friend whom was taller and stockier than he to break down in such a way. They stood that way for several minutes, David silently let the tears roll down his face. He knew it was hard for his friend to let go. Ron was society’s example of Men Don’t.
Ron stood and cleared his throat, “I, I, I’m sorry he apologized”. “For what”? David asked as they both wiped away the tears. “For; you know”, Ron stammered. David frowned at his friend and responded “We are not strangers on the street, we are best friends, we we are more like brothers and if you can’t be real with me, who can you be real with”. “You don’t owe me an apology Ron, I am with you through this man, thick and thin”.
“Now what is our next step, we will beat this.” “Thanks man”, Ron said, “I need to tell my wife and go through the research I have found online as well as what the doctor gave me”. “Ok, cool, You talk to Shirley and then we can talk”. “I’m here and if you need me to do more research as well, let me know. I will be there for every single appointment, treatment, whatever”. Ron hugged David, “thanks man for being here for me” “I told you man, no thanks necessary, we’re family” David told him.
David decided to try and lighten things up , “hey man how about one of those sandwiches, my wife didn’t cook” they both laughed really hard.
“What are you guys laughing at”? The guys jumped as they turned to see Ron’s wife standing in the kitchen doorway. They both stopped laughing instantly. “Hi Shirley” David said as he headed toward the door, “Hi David, hey you don’t need to leave because I walked in, I didn’t mean to interrupt. “Hey honey Ron said, you didn’t”. “I have to get home” David said, you know my wife and they all laughed, “I’m going to tell her you said that”, Shirley said as David walked out the door.
David stood at the door as he closed it behind him. His shoulders slumped and he let a deep sigh as he dropped his head. He suddenly realized the damage the stigma society has placed on men has caused, the damage on Ron it has caused that
Men Don’t
A BRAND NEW KIND OF ME