You didn’t have to be there  

And pretend you didn’t see what you saw

You didn’t have to ride your bike to my house

You didn’t have to message me later

You didn’t have to tell me about your day or your childhood, or your deepest fears or everything that happened after we stopped talking

You didn’t have to tell me you loved me and I’d never be alone

You didn’t have to watch me

You didn’t have to read what I wrote

You didn’t have to act kind or safe or compassionate 

You didn’t have to ask me questions when we stood at the edge of the fire

You didn’t have to hide the painting from my eyes 

You didn’t have to understand 

You didn’t have to do all those things we said we never did

You didn’t have to tolerate my silence 

Pushing you away when you knew that’s the last thing I wanted to do

You didn’t have to ring the bell

It was a Thursday night 

You didn’t have to wrap your arms around me

You didn’t have to whisper

You didn’t have to laugh 

You didn’t have to sit and watch me cry

You didn’t have to wear that t-shirt

Talk to me goose

You didn’t have to check on me

You didn’t have to care

You didn’t have to dance with me in the kitchen

You didn’t have kiss my forehead and tell me how you felt 

You didn’t have to let me give you that giant box of feelings 

You didn’t have to rush back and let me know you were home safe

You didn’t have to come over 

You didn’t have to stay

You didn’t have to leave 

You didn’t have to wave and smile 

And you certainly didn’t have to slide your arm underneath me and reach for my hand 

But you did~