Girlfriend's Mother by Cody Clarke

Girlfriend's Mother
by Cody Clarke

I opened the door
to see her slide her arms fast
out from between her legs under the covers
and cover her eyes with both hands
blocking the light I'd swung in

I pulled the door shut quickly
and went into the next room down
the correct room
to urinate

When I came out
her bedroom door was open
and she was now sitting
on the side of her bed
turned away from me

I stood and watched her
wipe her forehead
and feel her heartbeat

then realized she was showing me
that she had the same scars
and bruises on my back
as my girlfriend

She turned her head finally
and looked at me in my boxers
in the bright light
sweaty from her daughter

I looked down at the floor
at my shadow stretched out to her
and I closed the door

I went down to the end of the hall
opened the door gently
and saw my girlfriend still dreaming

I climbed into her bed quietly
and stared up at the darkness
for a really long time
and then even longer with my eyes closed