"Te amo."
I hang up the phone
I brush my teeth and pull the blankets up to my shoulder
I release my heavy lids and fall asleep

She wakes me up
It is still dark out
the moon is awake
the world seems different

She tells me mom is fine
but doesn't tell me if you're okay
I already know
My heart explodes
my ribs detach from their cage and struggle to break through the skin
my arms wrap around myself, trying to keep it all contained
my fingers pressing tightly
the skin bruises and burns
peeling away and exposing my bones
you are gone
while I am here,
my body is just fine
but yours is broken
but soul set free
why must you go where I cannot follow you