i’ll read before bed, and you’ll do as you do. my hair in pins from the day, falling out. and you’ll help me, gently, hunt for each one in my mess of a mane.

i’ll count them and count them before i let myself sleep because if i’m not careful, i might lose one.

and i’ll lay next to you in the dark and count the breaths you take because if i’m not careful, i’ll miss the last one.