We’ve been wandering for nine weeks now
The old place closed without notice
The weekday usuals scattered
by twos and fours
to several sites
around the area
but the weekend regulars
have all landed
at the sister café
three miles
down the road
some staff
from the old place
are here
smiles, hugs, laughter
trying to make
it feel
like it did before
wanting home
in a new place
Little feet
padding quickly on the wooden floor
from his room
to ours
in the middle of the night
standing by my bed
waiting.
I reach down with one hand
and sweep my toddler son
into the middle of our bed.
He lays flat on his back
placing one hand on his dad
and one hand on me.
deep sigh
then falls back asleep.
Bigger feet
lumbering across the wooden floor
from his room
to the kitchen
early in the morning.
Refrigerator door opens
he stands
grazing
on leftovers dipped in ranch dressing he leaves in little bowls
just for this purpose.
Pops a can of flavored water
then back to his room.
Grown feet
softly walking from his childhood room
to the kitchen
where he stands
boils water
for morning tea.
He feeds our cats
whom he misses when he not here.
Looks at his work emails
plays news podcasts.
We are still his home
but he has a new home too
with his beloved
who is our new beloved too.
28 enero 2022
BethenyReid 