LUNCH WITH LAURA

Laura is in trouble.
When she told me that,
I found it hard to believe.
Laura manages everything with logic and laughter.
Laura is sweet.
Laura never forgets your birthday.
Laura has a husband.
Three children.
A pet.
A house.
A car.
Patience.
And she's so nice, I don't even hate her for it.
Now she says she needs a friend.
Not the dozens of neighborhood friends
who have organized a community effort
to bring hot meals to her home every night.
Not the other contingent
which has organized a carpool
to help take her kids to their various activities.
Laura says she needs a friend
with whom she can share how she feels.
Frightened.
Overwhelmed.
Tearful.
Out of control.
Laura's husband has been struck
by a rampant form of leukemia
that puts him in daily danger of dying.
And she's asked me to have lunch.


© Ellen Azorin