she suspected sometimes he did things because he felt sorry for her
what could she expect
she has one leg
placate her with a sweet treat
one kindness for years of mistreatment
he put her down
put her in her place
"i was doing something about it

until you interfered"
now she is
crushed
under the weight of obligation, unchangeable circumstances, monumental longsuffering
she tries hard not to cry when i come to her
and say
"i know you're upset..."