[Grinkl]

Dear teachers.

He did not wish to die and I like to think he didn't know he was dying.
But I knew I was deluding myself when I went to visit him that night right before his death.
I came into his room, and for the first time in all the years I ( ) him there was tears in his eyes.
I sat down beside him and waited a long time before I could say something.

which tense is more correct, knew or had known in the parenthesis above?

I wonder if both are correct or not.

thanks in advance!