earth born

“don’t do that. don’t shut me out.” 

“you’ve been crying. i can tell.”

“we need to change those bandages and get some food in you.”

“you want me to rub your back ’til you fall asleep?”

“that was a brave thing you did today.” 

“shh, that’s okay, get everything out.”   

“there’s something on your shirt. you – that’s blood!”

“need some space?”

“you should lay down.”

“there’s nothing wrong with asking for help.” 

“shh, shh. you were having a nightmare.”

“we can talk through the door.” 

“let’s clean you up and get you to bed, okay?”

“you almost died.” 

“i brought you a blanket.”

“you’re home. you’re safe.” 

“i’m worried about you.”

“is everything okay?”

“tell me how to make it better.”

“it’s been a tough few days. how are you holding up?”

“you have to stay awake. come on, give my hand a squeeze.” 

“you’re in the hospital.” 

“think you can make it to the bathroom?”

“i’ve said it once, i’ve said it a thousand times.”

“don’t go poking your nose in other people’s business.”

“there’s not a thing in this world that i wouldn’t do for you, boy.”

“but for heaven’s sake, whatever you do, don’t guzzle it. you sip that stuff, hear?”

“and trust me, you don’t get to be my age without learning a thing or two.”

“i must have slept funny.”

“and to hell with what everybody else thinks.”

“it’s okay, son. you did good.”

“i told you, we went for ice cream.”

“we’ll get you a haircut.”

“you’re a slow learner, but you’re coming along.”

“what now, sweetheart?”

“ the point is…people overreact.”

“i’m going to tell you this once, sweetheart, and then i’m never going to tell it to you again.”

“it was nothing but a pack of lies.”

“sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it?”

“listen, baby. people are going to talk. and they’re going to say all kinds of stuff.”

“sometimes you sure can be thickheaded when you set your mind to it.”

“i will roll you up in this blanket if you don’t march your butt to bed right now.”

“hold still, i need to clean your face.”

“do you want a piggyback ride?”

“look, i’m threatening you with tickles. and if i were you, i would take that threat seriously.”

“you make me proud every day.”

“do you know how much i love you?”

“you can have as many hugs as you want.”

“you’re adorable when you’re half-asleep, you know that?”

“i called because i miss you. a lot.”

“are you coming home soon?”

“this couch is big enough for the both of us.”

“we can share.”

“i built a blanket fort.”

“is it okay if i hold your hand?”

“no fair! you know i’m ticklish!”

“you’re such a sleepyhead.”

“i know you didn’t just try sneaking out of here without your coat and hat.”

“i’m glad you had fun today, but it’s time you got some shut-eye.”

“hold my hand.”

Trying to be a  L i g h t                  while living in someone’s  S h a d o w                                                  is harder than it looks…