A Father's Wake-Up Call
Was this a dream—or was I simply hallucinating? Questions rolled endlessly through my mind. Could this really be my son?
A moment of silence passed before a sudden, piercing voice shattered it.
"Mr. Pinchez, I'm talking to you! Look at what your child has done!"
The headteacher's words struck me like a blow. "Your son conspired with some unruly boys to set the school rooms on fire. He's only five, yet he has no manners! Doesn't his mother teach him anything? I am truly disappointed in you, Mr. Pinchez."
Shocked and embarrassed, I could only offer a weak apology. "I'm sorry... I'll pay for any damages caused."
But the headteacher was firm and dismissive. "This isn't about money. You need to teach your children proper discipline. In fact, you should consider transferring Mike to a special school. Especially him."
I nodded, promising to do what was necessary, but inside, my mind was storming with anger and humiliation. How could I be shamed like this in front of others?
When I got home, I was still overwhelmed with emotion. I confronted Mike and, without thinking, slapped him hard across the face.
His response stopped me cold.
"If Mom were here, none of this would be happening. I need my mom," Mike cried.
His words hit me with painful truth. My wife had warned me—she had foreseen that something like this might happen. I stood there, consumed by confusion, questioning whether what I did was right.
But I consoled myself with the old saying: "Spare the rod, spoil the child." I clung to that belief as I tried to regain my composure. I went to freshen up and prepare to return to work.
Then I heard it—panic echoing through the house.
"Dad!!! Boss!! Please come! Mike has drunk poison!"
I rushed out, heart racing, only to witness a scene I could hardly comprehend. It looked like a horrible illusion—Mike, convulsing, foam pouring from his mouth. The sight was terrifying. If I had delayed by even a moment, I might have lost him forever.
I scooped him into my arms and rushed him to the hospital.
But why, Mike?Why would you try to take your own life—over something so small?