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I wonder if chuuya’s parents ever stopped hoping he’d come back. if they still left the porch light on every night, just in case—so it wouldn’t be dark if he somehow wandered home. I wonder if they kept his room the same, sheets smoothed out like he’d be back any minute, his favorite stuffed animals still sitting on the bed like they’re waiting for him too. maybe his mom still buys the cereal and pasta he liked when she goes to the grocery store. maybe his dad never fixed the bathroom doorknob because he said he’d show chuuya how to do it since chuuya wanted to learn to use a drill. maybe they still set an extra place at the table on his birthday. maybe his toothbrush is still in the cup by the sink. maybe they leave the window cracked open in spring, just a little, like they used to when he said the air helped him sleep. I wonder if they ever stop living like he'll still walk through the door one day.