"why do you have to go where i cant follow?

she sits slumped on the steps waiting expectantly for his arrival
her head is heavy and her eyelids defy her orders to stay open by repeatedly shutting up
the porch light glows faintly at the window
and she strains her ears for footsteps or the creaking sound of the gate
the seconds tick by
her impatience and worry grow
the annoyance at being awaken from slumber has long since evaporated
replaced instead by enticapation and a silent joy at his return

without her glasses she can vaguely make out a figure at the gate
despite the fuzziness of the image she instinctively knows
and flys to the door
a wide smile spread across a lips as she swings it open

no hug
no smile
no kind word

he just brushes past her and makes his way to the room
and she is left standing there
staring out into the deserted street
feeling the emptiness draw her in
slowly encircling her
the orange glow of the street lamp becomes just a blur
a single tear courses silently down her cheek.