abuse

“ I ask him what makes him happy. He says when someone else is."

I look in the mirror as the older man with the frightened red eyes struggles to recognize me. I ask him who he is and he does not know. I ask him who he was. He says a lonely child who had friends. I ask him what he wanted to be. He says he was good at many things yet aspired to nothing. I ask him who he loved. He says he loved many who tired of him and left him behind. I ask him where he chose to offer his talents. He says anywhere that wanted them. I ask him what makes him happy. He says when someone else is. I ask him what brings him comfort. He answers pain. I ask him what is his biggest dream. He says to get through tomorrow.