It was cold

too cold

cold enough to trigger

something-

"Mama, what's that big truck doing here?"

No, not here,

not right now

"Don't worry about it, dear,
it's Papa's, he's picking up some
things."

Stop-

"Oh, okay..."

No more
No more-

"Listen, Papa's going somewhere very far, and he won't be home for a long time,

will you be okay with just the two of us?"

Stop!
I don't want this-

"Okay, mama!"

Why
Why
Why
Why
Why

Why now?

His legs give out,
tired from all the
running

He was exhausted,

Well, who wouldn't be
after all that running?

He was quite far
from where he came

Despite the low temperature,
he was sweating profusely
and panting uncontrollably

He sits down on a bench
nearby, hoping to dissipate
his exhaustion

He feels something drop
on his palm

Something wet

He lifts his hand
to his cheek

Why am I crying?