in the quiet

he sees her as she curls up on the bed like a child.
he is watching with patient blue eyes
that have watched her do this a million times
and will watch the scene calmly a million times more.
he puts his arm lightly on her side
ever so carefully
because he doesn't want to start the fight
about how he is only there for the sex
but he also can't give her too much space
because then she'll say he doesn't care.
she understands his predicament
when she feels his arm rest on her;
his body about a foot away.
she tells him that she knows that he is playing a game.
she apologizes for making him afraid.
they both just want him to say something that will make her feel okay;
that will make her act normal.
but the only normal act she will take up tonight
is crashing into sleep
after too many emotions ran marathons through her.
and he will follow her on tip toe
until the morning sun whispers them awake
and a new day begins.