Awakening His Glory

Billy came into my office
sat down and crossed his legs.
I couldn't place his expression.
We cast aside formal business
for a few moments
I asked about his family.

"There is none.
I was an orphan."

I became tense.

He swooped in with emotions,
tragedies, poured out to me
details, his hand to his forehead
like it was the first time
it had all come out.

Billy's eyes told a different story.
They were calm and collected,
his voice was matter-of-fact.

"The man who owned the farm
liked little boys.
For three years
he used me like a woman."

He had practiced this.

My hands were folded in my lap
the whole time,
grasping the other hand's fingers
so that I felt something
other than the emptiness
the recounting of his life
put inside me.

We finished our transaction,
Billy left.
I turned back to my papers
and could only laugh hysterically.