Sticky notes plastered over the fridge
An abundance to fill the void
Of her fleeting presence
There are eggs and bacon
Money on the table, so buy dinner
I’ll be back late
I love you, honey
The inscribed reassurance
She’s still around
Though inundation weighs her shoulders
And lethargy dims her focus
So she misses the bruises
The split lip and swollen eye
She believes his easy white lies
He’d only been playing with friends
But you’re being too rough
She says on a tired breath
Before she retires to bed
And when she’s sound asleep
He scrubs the blood from his shirt
Dresses his wounds
Swallows each stunned hiss
At the ache in his ribs
He endures
Because she endures
And she tries so hard for them both
So he suffers in silence
Bears the pain with a smile
Because he’s not a baby anymore
Who can run to her and whine
He must be strong for himself and her
Though he’d love to sink
In the consoling warmth of her arms
And hear the soft lullaby
She would sing for him before bed
But he cannot complain
He cannot break
He cannot cry
Photo credit: Avogado6
Nomad Writer 
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