I apologize if my recent writing has been rather bleak. I promise a lighter snippet is in the works, as my sense of humor comes back online.

Pop

By e-pony

I wait by the window, like always, listenin’ for footsteps on the stairs, the thud of the door, Ma’s greeting from the kitchen. Nicky never makes it past ten-thirty, but I stay awake every night ’til Pop comes home.

Pop’s a hero. Looks after our family an’ neighborhood. Patrols the streets, bustin’ bad guys. “Makes the city safe for decent people,” Ma says. But I know he needs lookin’ after, too. So I wait.

Just after midnight, the phone rings… then stops. I hear Ma scream as I run for the door.

Suddenly, I know: Tonight, Pop ain’t comin’ home.