You used to be so cute, so innocent. Crayon drawings of something there. There. Not there, but there. Present. They never believed you, never believed. Don’t you believe yourself? Don’t you?
Stop it. Stop. “Go to your room.” I will keep you safe. Don’t worry, don’t worry. Talk to me. (Please!) Talking, talking, talking. You never talk these days. These days. You’re stressed, unkempt, upset, upset. Remember candy? Remember snowballs? Remember hugs? Remember cake?
Remember me?
Remember me. Remember me. Remember me. (Please!) (Please!) There. Present. I’m still here. You are here. Listen, listen. Stop, no, don’t, (Please!), safe, warm, secure, with me, with me, with me, WITH ME, WITH ME.
MOMMY ISN’T DEAD HERE. DADDY HAS A JOB HERE. YOU DON’T HAVE SCHOOL HERE. HERE. HERE.
(Please!) Stay.