✦✗✦✗✦✗✦

You're not at the park today.

No, not today.

Today you're sitting on your living room floor, next to Tyler.

Yesterday Tyler stayed at the park with you. You made him stay.

After a few hours, you took Tyler's hand and went back to your apartment. He didn't object.

You had to skip work to stay with him all night, but you had no other choice.

You couldn't leave him alone.

"I'm tired," Tyler says.

He's sitting with his back against your couch, knees pulled into his chest. He stares blankly at the opposite wall.

"Not physically...well, yes, physically, but..." Tyler takes a shaky breath. It sounds like it hurts him to even breathe. "I'm tired of trying."

You take his hand and grip it in yours tightly.

Don't be gone, you want to say.

But you can't.

✦✗✦✗✦✗✦