10:11 pm
you should have been home at nine
and now
my pulse accelerates
my palms sweat
I can picture a long, distraced drive
Victoria to Nanaimo
4 other passengers
and rainy weather.

your car isn't in the driveway
June says
you haven't called
and Steve won't pick up
school ended an hour ago
and you said that you'd be here.

the silence is cold around my throat
cardoor slam
no knock
no double-ring phone call
or ringtone
or text.

I've tried your cell a hundred times
your friends twice
and the empty rings lead up to inevitable voicemail
your voice, my faux-calm mail.

Cars drive by my house
not yours, they keep on going
no smile
no arms around me
no kisses or laughter, alone
in the dark.

I'm silently worried.
Come home,
and that way
I'll pretend
I was fine.

06/09/2006

Posted on 06/10/2006
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