He Kissed the Door

The headlights shown into the bedroom as he pulled into the driveway. The alarm clock turns to one and she tugs the blanket under her chin. A quiet prayer falls from her lips. The back door closes loudly as he stumbles in, heavy footsteps fill the air. Eyes tightly closed she wishes That he will just fall into his lazy-boy. A ridiculous wish since that never happens. Light streams in from the hallway, his slurred words penetrate her skin. She rolls over slowly and gives him a weak smile as he takes off his boots. Maybe tonight will be different, Please God. He falls into bed and pulls her close. A hard kiss lands on her mouth. She turns back, that was the mistake. Before she knows it, she’s on the floor. A foot to her stomach, a fist to her face; at least this time his boots were off. She stifles a cry so the kids don’t know. He never says a word, the blows always spoke louder. Finally it’s over but she stays on the floor. After a while she hears a bottle opened and the TV turned on. She crawls into bed and lets a single tear fall from her eye. Maybe tomorrow will be different She just has to be better.