Trust

We walked the cows around the yard, gripping the halters tightly. Training these stubborn animals had become a necessary nightly routine. He watched us from our front porch swing, and we let him.

I cheered loudly as I moved the chess piece into checkmate position. Family game night went down as another victory for me. He sat on the floor next to us, watching and smiling, and we let him.

Mom sat at the counter sipping a glass of red wine while Dad chopped up pizza toppings. He sat in the extra chair, contributing to the lively conversation, and we let him.

It’s almost as if our house had become his. We trusted him, so we let him be there.

Fear

The sun rose, and the sky breathed fog into the trees. I walked my little brother down our dirt driveway to the bus stop. All of a sudden, he was there.

The sun beamed high in the sky. My long legs sprawled out across the front porch, soaking in the warm rays. Peace and happiness filled my soul. All of a sudden, he was there.

The sun began to set. I finished feeding the pigs, rinsed off my dirty work boots, and head back towards the house. All of a sudden, he was there.

He was always there. If not physically, then at least in the back of my mind, filling my life with fear. I was a strong person, but with him always there, I feared being alone.

It was dark, and once again he was suddenly there, ringing my doorbell, his face staring back at me as I flicked the porch light on. I had to call the police, this had to stop.

Freedom

They took him away, and just as quickly as he had entered our lives, he was gone.

It’s another new day. I help my brother step onto the bus and wave to his friends as they greet me with tired yet joyful smiles. He is gone.

As I walk back up to the house, I toss a snowball at my dog, who throws her head into the air and starts to bark loudly. He is gone.

My parents leave for the evening, giving me the momentous task of caring for my four younger siblings. I don’t have to lock the door anymore, because he is gone.

Finally, he is gone.

No more.