The Tears

Whenever I see family,
          It is a late December Christmas.
          I am sitting by the crackling
              fireplace playing 4-on-the-couch with the cousins.
          I am laughing and talking with
              all of my aunts and uncles about the
              Amazing year that I had.

But that's not my story. 
       My story is Auntie just getting over cancer
       but now being abused by her husband.
       Putting on a strong face
       So all of us won't worry.
But all she really wants to do
is cry.