last night

the house is quiet and dark. i have checked the locked doors for the last time. the dryer rumbles softly fluffing the towels i forgot to fold earlier in the day. i tiptoe in for one more look at him. eyes closed, breathing softly. hands behind the head, elbows out. more diagonal than how i left him. i lean over the rail to smell his breath and kiss his forehead. my feet come off the ground so that i can reach him. his eyelids flutter open briefly, the long, dark eyelashes casting shadows on his face. he doesn't see me, so deeply asleep. "see you in the morning, sweet boy". he sighs and rearranges his arms. i wonder if he knows how much i love him. "mama loves you."