She had to wait only until dawn - |
Dark night and quiet
Not even a rustle of the trees In breeze; very still. She turned on the light And went to the kitchen To make a cup of coffee. Strange, she thought, To be alone in the house After so many years Of having him there. It had been a nice funeral, As funerals go - Family and friends had left To go back to their lives, She must continue with hers. Coffee made, she took the cup Into the living room and Turned on the television. No matter what was on It was better than Not hearing any sound. But wait - there was something, A furtive moment when A sound leapt to her ears, Someone was outside On the deck. She picked up the phone To call for help, But the phone was silent, Had he cut the cord? Gathering her courage, She called out - No answer came, just silence Once again no tell-tale Sound or movement. Imagination, she thought. Then she saw the doorknob turn And a stranger stepped Into the room. His leer chilled her; She reached into the side Of the sofa where she sat, Brought up the gun And pulled the trigger - He fell, no leer now! She watched as he lay there Blood had stained the carpet, And he really was in the way But it didn't matter, She would not move out of this room Tonight, she would watch For any sign of life. No one will ever hurt me again She said to herself. Years of abuse had ended With the funeral, She was free at last. Tomorrow she would get help And then get out of there. She cried. She had to wait Only until dawn And she had waited before The bullet meant for her Had saved her life. |