to comfort him, but I’m
starting to think he
screams
because he sees me as a
stranger, like I’m the baby-
sitter. Guilt
rages
in me, but only when
I finally come down enough
to really think about it.
Today I’m Coming Down
It will be a fast crash,
and for that I’m grateful.
My body aches. My brain
feels like mush. I need sleep,
even more than I need food.
Recognizing those needs,
I haven’t played with
the monster for two days.
Work today was impossible.
I don’t know how I made it through.
Now I’m home, and Mom
says, I’m going to the gym
and then I’ve got some errands
to run. Jake is at practice.
You’ll have to watch Hunter.
“Sure. No problem,” I say,
knowing full well that it might
be a problem. I give him a bottle,
lay him on a big quilt on the living