Fly on the Wall, Olivia Williams

Fly on the Wall

Olivia Williams

the only times i’ve seen my father cry have been at funerals, church, and the day he came home from the emergency room. he walked in still dressed for work

(i look back and wonder how long he sat in his new car waiting for the courage to come into this place we call home) once he passed my room and saw my mother in the kitchen well....

it was over.

CANCER.

5 spots spread within him. [spleen, kidney, lungs, spine, and colon]

he choked, sputtered, and gasped for air.

he shook and was paler than i’d ever seen him.

my mother walked him to their room. i followed. a fly on the wall… i listened i looked from him to her

she cried and was already in denial this can’t be real. holy shit. what are we going to do?

it is strange to be the faithless one between the three in the room we cry

we choke they pray we take it one step each day.