mysterious illness

free write friday: a mother ruminates what truly matters

“I’m out the door, I’ll see you soon…”

A waiting call, that quickly changes tune

“Your son is sick, he needs to be picked up right away”

A quick call to my friend, “This is the last thing you need today”

A worried face, with skin so flushed

How could things progress this much?

A panicked call to mom and dad. Text my ex-husband.

“Can you come? It’s pretty bad.”

Urgent care. Waiting room. Try to push down the fear.

“Do you have the same insurance?” No, we lost it last year.

Come back in a few hours. It’ll probably be okay.

Am I going to die? No, we just have to see what the doctor will say.

Deadlines loom. Fear grows. Stay strong.

It’s already time to go back. “See, it didn’t take long?’

Doctor scratches his head as he surveys all the bumps.

“No fever, no sore throat? It’s thankfully not mumps.”

Let me confer with a specialist, let me call work, let me dry your tears

Let me figure out how to rearrange a life that was curated for years

We don’t know what it is, but he seems mainly okay

Let us know if things get worse, but you can be on your way

Yes, he needs to stay home for a week

And no, he can’t go out

Yes, it might be contagious

But now, that’s all for you to figure out

Goodbyes in the parking lot

And then we’re on our own

Collectively, the two of us start to moan

“Are there any stops you want to make before we’re trapped inside?”

“No, mama… I just want to go home and hide.”

Me too, little one, but there is so much to do.

Thank goodness you have me, and I have you.