I already know before I look at the clock.

My mind runs through all of the things.

Found the hashbrowns.

Salad and soup. Gluten-free Tate’s chocolate chip cookies. A cup of decaf coffee.

I sit on a bucket and scrub down the ladder. My mind drifts to things I’d rather not think about. But scrubbing is the best thing I could be doing.

The stab of uncertainty.

Tomorrow.

What if there is nothing that can be done?

Running helps, too.

They have a Christmas tree up. I’m not mad about it.