Saturday 

Driving to brunch with my family. Car Talk on the radio transports part of me back in time to a blip in my childhood when we’d drive seemingly for hours. My dad would turn the volume way up and we’d hear the laugh of “Click and Clack” in harmony with my dad’s as he smacked the steering wheel for comedic emphasis. I didn’t get the humor back then just as my own kids don’t get it now, but there was something vaguely comforting about hearing my dad laugh, unabashed and carefree, like he left the door cracked open to a secret world. So now on Saturday mornings I leave the show playing even though everyone groans because I want them to pick up, somewhere in their subconscious, a glimpse into that same secret world that I got a glimpse of everytime my dad laughed. 

Thursday

Nora missed the bus again. Snowing. It’s a set-up for a frantic morning. Threw on the same clothes I wore yesterday – can still catch whiffs of last night’s dinner. Deep breaths and a treat coffee as reward. Maybe a nap later too. 

Tuesday

Skipped yesterday because I set up a strict regimen for my work and was able to really get some things done but it’s a sick day today for my Nora. She’s sick enough to stay home, but not so sick that she’s sleeping all day. Pulled out the puzzle I’d been saving since before Christmas – that’ll buy me some time. On these days, I always sense, deep down, that I should be savoring this time; that it’s all going so quickly. I should curl up with her, find a movie, cuddle. But man, it’s hard to find a balance when you’re still in the momentum of life.

Sunday

Sick day for my Nora. None of us slept last night. Some things I spent the night thinking about:

  1. Specific work projects for which, realistically, I don’t have the time to complete even though they absolutely must be completed. 
  2. The throbbing in and behind my sore eye. 
  3. General work projects: will they continue to be there (of course, somehow) or will we become destitute (definitely, probably no)?
  4. Poor sick Nora who, even in her illness and even after throwing up and returning from emptying her liquid bowels, insists with steely resolve that she is fine. Absolutely fine. 
  5. My clingy little love monkey, Sam, and how, when we’re apart for a day, his loving suffocation amps up exponentially. 
  6. How will I get that work project done?! Especially if Nora stays home on Monday?
  7. Bills. Shit. Friday was the first. Everything is due all over again. 

Tonight will be an early night for all of us. Tomorrow is another day. 

Saturday

Tough morning. A lot on my mind and again, windy as fuck. Eyes hurt and head hurts. Wore comfy clothes for running errands but feeling like I’m constantly talking myself down from panic. Line for the Starbucks drive-up was ridiculous and unacceptable. Settled for a sub-par cappuccino from somewhere else and immediately put Patsy Cline on the turntable.

Friday

Friday with Sam. I’ll drink my coffee slowly while I catch up on a show. Together we’ll search for his prized Lightning McQueen car. Then we’ll head to our dear neighbor’s house for some coffee talk where we swap stories and affirm each other until we both sit back and sigh contentedly, amazed at the good fortune we’ve found in each other.