Teen Ink

Everyday
Patrick races into
Afternoon day care,
Bellows "I'm hungry!
What's for snack?" and
Hugs me. I
Peel his little arms
Fromaround my legs,
So I can bend down
And return his HeartfeltHug.

The sun sets, and
Parents come.
But Patrick is still
Withme.
"When will my dad be here?"
He asks, sitting on my lap
"Soon, I bet."
I lie
As I watch
Him color the same
Picture he's colored
All week.
He turns and hugs
Me, like before,
Squeezing so hard
I almost cry.