No One's Watching

Slowly I open myself to the world.

I remove layers of makeup, I remove the fears I have been hiding behind. 

I open myself completely and step out of my door.

The world sees me and their eyes burn my skin.

Tears prick my eyes and I turn to run inside.

Suddenly they are upon me and I cannot get away.

I flinch, waiting for the blows, when I feel the hands touch me. 

They pull me in close and hug me to them.

They hug me! They love me! They cry! 

They tell me their pain and that they are happy I shared mine.

I wake from the dream and begin to sob.

I enter my mother's room and tell her everything.

I want that dream to be a reality, so my mother and I make it happen.