She rolls out of  her cold bed
stumbling
falling onto the counter
and paints herself.
Deep red lipstick, dark serious bronzer
and pulls her hair into a bun
accepting of the eyes staring back.

As she closes the door behind,
she plants a smile on her face
and happiness in her heart.

Sailing through the sea of businessmen
she pretends
like when she was six
that she is important
ready to face the world.
She cheerily prints papers, runs copies and meets with her boss.
He smiles proudly,
knowing he has such a lively employee.
She later leaves the office with a skip in her step
others wish they could be as peppy and bright as her.

she throws open the door
lurches into the bathroom
wipes away her facade
and sinks to the cold, hard floor
leaning her messy hair against the deep dark red wall
she closes her eyes between her knees
as the shouts and screams of her children
beckon her to come
where could he possibly be

the other side of their bed is cold
neatly made
the distant calls fade away
Mommy
  mom
   mother
    where’s Dad?