Ten.Eight Hundred & Fifty-Eight

1. One year.

2. I pull together my lunch, an assortment of dried fruits and nuts, sliced pears, one of those salads in a bag with kale and cranberries and pepitas. I should probably do this the night before.

3. I call her as soon as he gets out of the car and unload on her about his crappy attitude. That, I mean, it could be worse. He just doesn’t want to do his homework. But pre-teens, right now, are the worst.

4. I miss her laugh and our books discussions.

5. He waves to me from behind the machine, a black tube in his hand. “Good morning, Alisha.” I feel seen. I feel gratitude as I return the greeting.

6. So quiet with only two of us in there.

7. Don’t they open in an hour? Where is everyone? This makes me nervous.

8. A much slower day. Grateful for that.

9. I just knew he would text me. I am sure to end the response with “good night” to indicate that I am no longer available.

10. Too cold. Even colder. Disappointed. I will finish reading this book of poems tomorrow, I suppose. It is an empty Saturday afterall.