His skunky beer kisses were like a pay-off

Scratchy whiskers and cold lips on cheek
She knew it was time to go to her room
She wouldn’t wait around
To find out what would happen
Last time that happened, a belt kissed her leg
Stinging leather on tender skin
 
She looked back one time
And beyond the half-wall 
She could see his sock-clad feet 
Sticking out from the recliner 
And from a giant tube in that dark room
Came an eerie glow 
Mind-numbing dialogue
And in his hand, mind-numbing drink
 
She wouldn’t see him again 
Until the next day
When he’d finally emerge from his room
Half-human
 
By then
She’d have made her own breakfast
Of Cap’n Crunch and milk
and be seated in front of the TV
Watching cartoons