I hear a creak and then footsteps. I follow the footsteps down the stairs, in the dark, and find him aglow from the pantry light.

Owl.

Not better. Maybe slightly worse.

I laugh to myself as I watch him squint in the sun. I had forgotten how bright and direct the sun is during this time of year.

I think he has figured out how to make himself throw up.

I am here but not really hearing anything that is being said.

Lunch break is realizing that I need to pick him up from school because I didn’t provide a negative COVID test.

Ignoring it doesn’t make it go away.

I keep my eye on the clock.

The last person speaks and then there is a mass exodus. I wish I could have seen their faces.

We are still standing in the parking lot and talking. I start to see the twinkle of the stars.

A marathon, not a sprint. I hope we have the endurance.