Breaking Down

Heart pounding,

Mind racing,

Shallow breathing.

He’s following me.

Shaking all over,

Keys jingling in my hand.

All is quiet on my street,

But I know he sees me.

“Hey, you!” He screams.

I shake even harder.

Everything’s blurry,

And I can’t open the door.

“Are your parents home?”

I know not to respond.

I shake even harder than before.

Finally, I get the door open.

I tell myself not to be afraid,

But I can’t  help it.

The door is open,

And I rush inside.

Safely in my house,

I lock the door behind me.

Fighting back the terror,

I call my mom.

“Be brave,” I think to myself,

“Don’t cry.”

“Hello?” My mother asks.

Then the tears start to flow.

“A man,” I cry.

I have to so I can breathe.

“He was talking to me outside.”

I’m scared; who will protect me?

“Don’t worry, baby, I’ll call the cops.

You’re scared? They’ll set you free.

I’ll stay on the phone with you, baby.

Don’t worry, you’ve got me.”

In the silence I cry

Like a baby, and that’s how I feel.

How can this be happening to me?

How can this be real?

The police circle the block,

And as they do, the tears slow.

I feel a little safer now,

But I refuse to let it go.

“Should I call your dad?

Or should I just come home?

I hear your fear through the phone

And I don’t want you to be alone.”

“Don’t call my dad, Mom,

I don’t want him to see me cry.

I’m supposed to be tough now

And if he sees tears, he’ll wonder why.”

Ten minutes later, I finally break down.

“Call my dad, Mom.For once, I need him around.”