Love

It had happened before but not like this
She lay on the floor her fresh blond hair matted with blood
She could not move her left arm it was broken
As was her left middle finger
Her left eye was completely shut from the swelling and her right
Reminded him of her whining so he kicked her in the neck
And kept kicking until she said nothing and she did nothing
Then almost involuntarily a peaceful look took over her face
And her remaining eyelid awkwardly slid shut
There in the slippery red mess they had made together
He could finally love her