She
Her fingers run through my head as we lay in bed
Braids make their way from her hands to my hair
Even though it is too short for them to stay
The braid immediately unfurls and she immediately begins again
I ask her why she does this
“Because I love you.”
On a warm summer day we walk hand in hand
My insecurity grips me a I become aware of how
My thighs burst from my too tight shorts
I ask her if I look fat and she answers me
“You look perfect.”
I stop adjusting the hem of my shorts and let my arms swing
We sit together in the bleachers as the crowd howls fiercely
She leans against me and I begin to touch her hair as the ball is passed
She tenses and I realize my mistake
I stumble to take my fingers away
But it seems she has forgiven me
She reaches for my hand and our smiles blend together
Her crying reaches my ears like a knife against a glass bottle
She holds me and I hold her
Whispering comforts in her ear as softly as I can
With a wracked sob she picks her head up and asks me
“Why do you stay with me?”
Because I love her
She smiles