He shut off the light.
It was utterly dark in our tiny room.
Hands disappeared in front of faces;
Sounds turned sharper and stung the ears.
The other one used to scream at night.

I felt the mattress sink as he crawled into bed.
My nose was buried under the pillow,
Not that it mattered, no one could see me.
His gentle touch was meant as an act of comfort.
But his fingers were cold at the tips.

Lightly, he kissed my forehead.
It was the only part I left exposed.
His fingers, warm now, pushed my face up.
It’s a shame at 21 I can’t hug my teddy-
I let him hold me instead.

There was a whisper, “It’s okay.”
I knew the other was no longer there.
Opening my eyes, I realized his gift.
“Look what I did,” he said,
“I made the dark go away.”