Loony Bin

“Sweetie.”

My eyes shoot open
and I scream
and my eyes are pouring
like a broken dam.

George is holding me,
soothing me,
clutching me to his chest.

He’s whispering,
I’m not listening.

I grip his shirt
tighter
and tighter.

I can’t let go.
Daddy will get me.

“Baby, it’s okay.”

He kisses my hair
he’s being so sweet,
but I’m just too scared.

I whimper:
he holds me closer.

“No one’s going to hurt you baby,”
“not while I’m here.”

I look up at him,
his green eyes are wide
and full of concern.

I sniffle.

“Do you promise?”

He smiles sweetly,
nothing like Daddy’s smile
at all.

“I promise.”

He sticks out his pinky
and I giggle as I link
mine with his.

He leans forward and plants
a kiss on my forehead.

“You’ll always be safe with me.”

In my head
I repeat the word.

Safe

I want to believe him;
I’m trying to believe him,
but I don’t think
I’ll ever be safe.