We finish dinner and clear the plates
But he is sure to stow the last dish under his untucked chair
I run the sink full of water and begin scrubbing away
Finally, I finish chiseling the cooked cheese off the pan
And only once I think I'm done my job, does he skitter into the kitchen
I hear him come in and shuffle so he's beside me
The small bowl thunks down on the counter in front of me
Snickering and laughing, he hurries away
I sigh and grumble to myself
"What a jerk"
He waits until I'm done the dishes to bring in the last one
He lets me hang up the towel and drain the sink
He lets me believe I can relax
But then he brings in another dish
And that is how I know he loves me.