Separation

It is a thirty-four year investment
The homemaker informs me.
Her intonation resonates
Fragile and insecure.
“Has this weekend been hard?”
I picture her tucking her blonde
Highlighted hair behind one ear.
“It comes and goes.
Moment by moment, baby.”
Her voice depresses further.
A hiccup, then an audible tear.
“Has he called you?”
Silence.
“Mom, he has made his choice.”
A sigh. “I know. I am afraid of
Being on my own. I haven’t
Worked in twenty-one years.”
“Hang in there, Mom. Try
Not to sleep in tomorrow.”
I tell her I’ll see her this weekend.
We will all be together for a few days.
Without Dad.