Our Secret

He stands in the doorway, dark and tall, watching me closely. The little girl with toys, spread around the room like a blanket. He yells at the mess of toys, and into the closet they go. With a little girl’s tears, and a big heavy lock guarding the door. During the day when he is gone, Mama unlocks the door to a little girl’s treasures. Shh, it’s our secret. We must rush to clean the room and relock then door before he returns. No one wants to see his anger. When he returns, all is normal. Mama and I share a secret smile and the big lock still guards the door.