Crunch of tires on gravel
My sister and I lock eyes
Silently run and hide
In the darkest closet corner
Jingle of keys, click of the door
Tripping and grumbling
Too loudly a warning and a lie
The kids are playing quietly in their room
Heavy boots on stairs
Wide eyes in the blackness
She grabs my hand
He turns the other way
Little hearts heaving
Can we have a few more minutes?
Dinner! comes the call
Amy Caponetto Galloway worked in publishing, retail, and education. She has a BS in Elementary Education, and a Master of Fine Arts in Writing from Manhattanville College, Purchase, NY. She is now retired and pursuing writing full time. She is currently working on a new collection of poetry and a middle grade novel.
