Avery let loose a little scream
it was more surprise than pain
though the hammer hurt when
it came crashing down upon his thumb.
He dropped the tool and ran inside
where he found himself alone.
His whimpers echoed in the empty kitchen.
As per usual, Mother was ‘out’ with friends
and father, not a word in his vocabulary
since the day he was born.
He stuck his thumb inside his mouth
and soothed himself, silencing all the hurt.