Coming Soon

Patti lies upstairs on our bed,
a moat of pillows surrounding the castle
that is her growing belly.
The cats sit on either side, as knights
guarding the hidden treasure
that lies beneath the walls of flesh.
She thinks it’s coming soon.
She’s been more irritable than usual.
More irritable.
She lashes out like the waves
on the lake in a tremendous storm,
while I stand by, the immovable shore,
helplessly soaked.

Little Catey is excited.
I wonder how she understands it.
What she sees when she looks
at her mommy’s wide belly.
She puts her little hands on either side
and lays her head gently against her mother,
closing her eyes,
she breaths.
Can she see it? Does she know?

It will come soon.
Daniel. Carolyn.
Danny. Carrie.
I’d be happy with either.
Either, or. A little boy or girl.
A sister for Catey to play with
or a little boy who I could teach to play
golf with me and carry on my name.

I’m nervous.
I’m not afraid to admit it.
I remember when Little Catey
was on her way.
When we entered the car my hands
shook with such force
that Patti almost demanded to drive.

I’m happy.
I look into Little Catey’s room
and see the little crib and imagin
it full again
with laughter and new smiles.
Little Catey waits at its sides
waiting for her new sibling to appear.
Another child.
Two cats. Two children.
Seems right.

Patti wants another little girl.
She always gets what she wants.
She holds reality in the palm of her hand
much as she holds the baby
in her womb. I suppose
this time will be no different.
A little girl.