My Teenage Son Shaved His Head for His Sick Girlfriend — The Next Day, Her Mother Called Me from the Hospital in Tears
He hugged me for only a moment before stepping away.
“I’m going to see her after school tomorrow. Don’t tell Eileen. I want Linnea to see first.”
I thought the shaved head was the entire surprise.
The next afternoon, I was answering emails when my phone rang.
Eileen’s name appeared on the screen.
I answered with a smile.
“Did Tobin get there? He didn’t let me warn you, but—”
“You need to come to the hospital,” she interrupted.
Her voice was tight and shaky.
My smile disappeared.
“Is Linnea all right?”
“She’s fine.”
“Then what happened?”
A long silence followed.
“You need to come here and see what your son did.”
My hand tightened around the phone.
“What does that mean?”
“I can’t explain it properly. Just come.”
Then the call ended.
Fear rushed through me. Had Tobin upset Linnea? Had he argued with a doctor? Had something happened during treatment?
I grabbed my keys and drove to the hospital without taking my coat.
By the time I reached the oncology floor, my palms were wet and my heart was pounding.
Eileen stood near the elevators with her arms folded. Her eyes were swollen, and she did not greet me.
“What happened?” I demanded. “Where is Tobin?”
“Come with me.”
“Eileen, stop. You scared me half to death.”
“He crossed a line,” she said as she walked.
I stared at her.
“What line?”
“The entire floor is talking about Linnea. Nurses, families, visitors. Everyone.”
Anger rose in my chest.
“My son shaved his head because your daughter was hurting.”
“It isn’t only his head.”
“Then tell me what he did.”
Eileen stopped in the hallway. For one second, she looked furious. Then her face broke.
“I’ve been angry with him for weeks,” she whispered.
“Why?”
