She confides in me
With reluctance
And
Tears fill her plate
A deluge from years of absolute hurt

A sad mealtime
A bad memory
Of a bad father

Haunting her
A ruined meal sits

Harsh words from a damaged heart
The years of abuse
And
A scary thought he will out live her

She confides in me
With reluctance yet again
Worrying about her mother
Too fearful to speak out

Thank god

A loving sister supports her story
And I am stunned
At the evidence the anecdotal portrayals
Of
A bad man without a heart

Without a thought
Of the damage he has done