*

*

He has his pull-ups on.

I’ve shaved him. (It’s fun.)

He’s got just one hearing aid.

Lost the other one.

He’s had his breakfast,

taken his pills

brushed his teeth.

*

“Where are we?” he says.

I tell him again.

*

“I’ll be here when you get home,”

I say.

“You don’t need to call me.

You’re safe.”

*

I send him out to the van.

Watch him climb in

wipe away familiar tears

like a mother.