Too Many Cars

... I arrived at the facility a little early, but soon enough see my patient's son and daughter-in-law leaving. His bright red shirt and the paper bag in her hand caught the light of the porch as they left. It's something to know "your" family members. To see that there are too many cars in the parking lot. To know from their gait and posture how weary they must be. I'm sure they saw me as well. A little too spry for this time of night, with a bag they've seen before. I was coming to sit with their mom, with his mother. And they were leaving. They had left.

Which is fine by me, because as much as we say that it's about them, too, it isn't so much. This is about Mary. I am here for her, or, at least, that is the case tonight...