Age 10: I felt too old to cry

We were ten years old and we just got skateboards as a present from our grandparents. They often brought us presents when they visited us. Our mothers took us to the park so we could practice riding them. We were practicing on the sidewalk and we had just started to get the hang of balancing on them. Mitsukuni was actually doing pretty well, he was going pretty fast. Thankfully we were the only ones at the park that day so we wouldn't run into any one.

Mitsukuni was getting excited and started to go really fast. He was so happy I didn't want to say anything. I wasn't paying attention when I heard a cry. I ran over and found Mitsukuni on the ground holding his arm obviously in a lot of pain. He started crying and screaming. I couldn't leave him like this but; I had to get someone to help us. You could just tell his arm was broken. I was freaking out, my heart was beating, and I couldn't breathe. I was basically having a panic attack. I was concerned about Mitsukuni more than myself. I was on my knees and I put my hand on his shoulder hoping to provide some comfort.

I know everything happened so fast but it felt like forever. Then, I was so thankful from what I just heard.

"Taka, what's going on!" Satoshi said running towards us. I had to say something, Mitsukuni was scared and so was I but I didn't want Satoshi scared either.

"Go get Mom and Auntie! Hurry!" I said.

"What's going on?"

"Just go!" As I said that he ran off.

At least Mitsukuni started to relax a little. His cries started to turn into whimpers. I held his hand and that seemed to help a little. Then my eyes started to well up with tears, but I couldn't cry I had to be the brave one.

After what felt like hours but, was only seconds our mothers were running to us finally I could breathe a sigh of relief.

My body just felt numb. My mother had to pull me up to get me off the ground while my aunt looked at Mitsukuni (she's really one of our cousins but we're all so close so I call her my aunt and vice versa). Chika and Satoshi were at a distance I guess they were told to stay there.

Mitsukuni's mother helped him stand up. He still had tears in his eyes and was still holding his arm. I had to look away or I would start crying. Not long after we all got in the car and we drove to the hospital. Satoshi, Chika, my mom and I all road together so Mitsukuni could have a lot of room.

After fighting the urge to cry and panic we arrived. Mitsukuni already got an x-ray and was in a recovery room. My mom and aunt went to call everyone and let them know what happened. I was allowed to go in Mitsukuni's room so I walked in. He was playing with his rabbit and smiling as if nothing happened. I was confused after all of the pain he experienced he can act as if he wasn't hurt.

"Hi Takashi" He looked at me and smiled. I just slowly walked over there. I pulled up a chair next to his bed and I don't know if I was over whelmed or relieved but I felt a few tears roll down my face.

Mitsukuni put his hand on my face and started stroking my cheek. "You can cry its okay. I know it was scary."

I crossed my arms and laid my head down on the bed and I just started bawling. Mitsukuni started to run his hand through my hair. I also felt stupid. I was ten years old and I was crying because nothing bad was happening.

After a little bit I tried to pull myself back together before our families came. My face was wet and my eyes were puffy and red. I whipped my eyes and tried to breathe. Mitsukuni stroked my cheek again.

"See you're all better."

I didn't know how to respond to that. "Go get some water. I'll be fine." I just nodded and left the room.

I blushed out of embarrassment. Out of all the people who saw me weak, was the person I had to be strong for. I couldn't imagine what would happen if my father saw me cry. Him seeing his oldest son, the strong one, crying like a baby. I don't know what I would've done if that happened. I wondered what he would think.

"Is everything alright?" I turned around and it was my father. I don't know what happened but I broke down again. I pulled my father into a hug and I started to cry again except not as hard the first time.

"It's my fault. It's all my fault." I mumbled while pressing my face against his body.

He put his hand on the back of my head. "No it's. You're alright."

I started to cry a little harder. 'Shh…shh. You're alright." Then he started to rub my back and I felt more comfortable and relaxed.