Forgetting how to breathe

Beat had been morose since the death of his mother, his heart feeling like it was being pulled under by a heavy weight every time he opened his eyes and remembered her final moments. He clung to his father now more than ever although his sole remaining parent seemed aloof since the death of his mother. He trotted up to his father and dropped into a playful bow in front of him.

“Hey dad, wanna play?” He asked hopefully, reaching up to tug on his fathers ear in the hopes that it would lift his spirits some. Their father had always been thin but now he seemed thinner than ever, his ribs showed and his nose was always dry, but he was far too young to understand the complexities of grief.