Helpless

“Dad, where’s Mama?”

I keep my back to Alex and wrestle with the tears in my throat.

“She’s gone.”

“When will she be back?”

“Maybe in a week.”

How can I do this to him? I know damn well those bottles will get her before he has the chance to tell her goodbye.

“Dad?”

“Yes Alex?”

“Are you okay?” His voice trembles.

“Yes, I’m fine. Do you have homework?”

“Yeah.”

“Go finish it, I’ll call you down later.”

“Okay.”

I don’t want to do this to him-

It’s the only way I can hold his reality before it crashes down.