I will go home

I WILL GO HOME
 
Cute, little, Junior High girl – maybe twelve or thirteen.
Dressed like every other cute, little, Junior High girl
            in the mall.
She’s talking on a pay phone,
            (I guess all kids don’t have cell phones.)
                                                trying not to cry.
 
“…and they embarrassed me and they just left me…
              I don’t know where they went… I don’t care…
                          Can’t I just come home?
                                      Will you….
                         …okay, I’ll be in the food court.”
 
A few minutes later, here he comes: big, overweight, and hairy.
Wearing sandals and socks, aloha shirt, and baggy short pants.
And upon seeing him, but before he sees her, something
             washes over her face
Something like…
             Embarrassment?
             Relief?
             Gratitude?
             No, it’s love.