I found the secret to happiness
he tells me

his cheeks are red
and his left eye blackened
his arms a patchwork
of purple bruises
I take the bait and ask

I dont think anymore
he says
Ever?
If I do I slap
or pinch myself

A moment of silence
while I consider this
and then
Slap!

I flinch at the sound
look over
as he turns toward me
grinning
a tiny crack
in his lower lip
leaking blood

He does seem happy though