I placed the tomatoes
On the tacos carefully
And tried to ignore their burning juices
On my nail-bitten, withered hands
The food was for her
My friend that was living with me
I was afraid she wouldn't be safe
Alone where her dad could find
His daughter that told them all
That he hit her one too many times

I handed the Dr.Pepper to her
I knew she needed the caffeine boost
Sleep deprived from the nightmares of the almost homicide
She was living somewhere new
In a secret place away
From her father that tried to choke
Her mother in the night

I took the Advil from him
My friend that was trying
To stop smoking all the time
But now had switched to taking
More than the suggested dose
I cared for him as a mother would
A child she was trying to protect from harm
But I loved him secretly
As a girl wants
The unavailable
Bad boy