I made a bet today.
If I came home
To a gloomy, empty house,
I'd say it's over and end it all.

But today was different.
I saw my father
Sat on the table
Eating his lunch.

He was never home early.
He spends the night here to sleep.
And the rest of the day at work.
Never had time to talk.

He called me over
"Son, let's eat."
With barely a smile
I take my seat.

He says "You're home early"
I nod and chew away.
A spoon or two later, he asks
"Tell me about your day."

It was lazy, the usual,
And spent alone like any other.
Is what I'd say
If I could be honest, father.

My father finished his meal
Gave me a pat on the head
And went back out to work.
"Goodbye son, stay safe okay?"

It was weird to me.
We barely ever talk.
But It felt warm for a second.
For second, then I brushed it off.

I thought I was alone again.
Time's about up, right?
But the bedroom door opens.
And out comes my sister.

She slept like a rock.
She woke up at noon!
But she's a grown up, older than me.
That's bound to change soon.

But like a child with a request,
She says "I wanna watch a movie!"
"You're old enough to do that yourself."
"But I can't decide which."

She says "Tell me what's new."
"The Greatest Showman?
You really wanted to see that."
Her sleepy face lit up, "Yes!"

So I play my copy of the movie.
And watched the logos fly.
The intro plays
The minutes passed by.

A young P. T. Barnum sang
My sister tries to catch the song.
So I sing alongside her to help.
And she got the chorus before long.

I swear, she's two years older.
But she's like a precious child.
She stared at the screen with glee
And a smile so wide.

I felt oddly warm to see her that way.
Like the smile was my doing.
"I like this movie!"
"I knew you would."

"It's weird though," she tells me.
"It's weird to see Wolverine singing"
She burts in a heap of laughter.
I couldn't help but feel warmer.

I came home with a bet today,
Like my life was on a coin toss.
But now I feel stupid.
I wouldn't miss out on this.

So maybe I'm depressed.
And maybe the world's a bit rough...
But days like these,
They'll keep me happy enough.