Relief that she is not
attending the regional pest
management conference
here in town

is not enough.

Sipping black coffee
in a refurbished hotel lobby
four blocks
from her apartment

is not enough.

Scribbling another reminder
note on a Post-It
not to forget PJs,
business cards, mouth wash

could be. Checking
the progress of that snowstorm
hovering over Boston
every 15 minutes

not likely. Exhaling
absolutely without question.