Normality Resumed

It was dark and cold

There was the eerie light of the street lamp

The only light available

As he tiptoed around the house

Trying to make no noise.

 

The child had been awake

4.30am he trotted in,

But no more was he allowed to snuggle in bed

He had to go back to his own

Mummy took him and he did not complain

He fell asleep straight away

Leaving Daddies sleep uninterrupted.

 

She heard him wake and tried to summon the words

But speaking at 5am was too difficult

He bent over kissed her head and silently left the room

 

Work clothes on,

Three jumpers, two pairs of socks and two trousers

Preparing himself for the cold

That is outside.

The stuff he had been shielding himself from for two weeks now!

 

He was ready,

The lunch was made last night,

The flask ready to be filled.

His tea bags, and sugar packed

Didn’t mean he wanted to go.

 

He prepared himself and took a deep breath in

Opening the door to the outside world

Closing the door on the sheltered life they had been living

Just the three of them in their own world

Opening presents, seeing family, playing with new toys

Lounging, laughing

Waking at whatever time they woke

Child snuggled in bed with them

Going to sleep in the early hours of the morning without a care in the world.

 

That life was gone for now,

Now normality was resumed

Working 5am till 6pm

Leaving in the dark

Arriving in the dark

Childless days, leading to minimal child filled nights

Sleep deprived,

Aching and tired for five out of seven days

 

A normality none of them liked

But one that was necessary for now!

One that had to be done

 

So he held his head high

And marched down the path

Getting in the car

Starting it and taking the long drive to work

And remembering why and what he was doing it for!