Can You Keep A Secret?

Every year,
Every blessed year
since he walked into my life
at the age of 18
when I really didn't need or want a father figure
to replace the one who died (or so I thought)
he gave me chocolates

Ferrero Rocher to be precise

Proudly selected and wrapped by him
and placed in my Christmas stocking
every year, without fail

Countless thousands
of milk chocolate and hazlenut enrobed candies later
(and many years after his death)
I still receive a box or two from well meaning souls
who carry on this tradition in his absence

Until the day I die,I will never let on...
I hate those damn things
and I always have
I just never had the heart to break his heart

I will choke them down with the tears

Overly sweet chocolate
made bittersweet
with good intentions