At Work

Helen laid the baby down
into the dark brown wooden crib
with light pink monkey themed bedding.
The babies blue eyes finally closed
she slowly pulled the hot pink pacifier out of her mouth.
Helen turned to walk out of the purple bedroom.
She stepped
on a green toy train
a train left by her big brother earlier.
Helen held in her scream
she didn't want to interrupt the baby's slumber.
She tip-toed into the twin's bedroom
then into the boy's bedroom
making sure everyone was still breathing
and fast asleep.
She stepped down the stairs
sat in her designated rocking chair
quietly waited for the mother to come home.
Mrs. Anderson walked through the door
Helen slowly pushed herself from the rocking chair.
"Hello, Mrs. Anderson, how was work today?"
"It was fine, same as always. How were the children?"
"They were great. They are all alive and sleeping in their beds."
Mrs. Anderson led Helen to the door.
"Good-bye Helen! See you tomorrow!"

En Route

Helen unlocked the door to her white mini van
and stepped in.
The smell the scent of Crayola finger paint
lingered around the back seat.
She backed out slowly
and began her 15-minute drive back home.
She passed tree after tree of blooming leaves.
she picked up the smell of bushes with fresh budding flowers.
she passed an old red and yellow park.
Memories flooded her mind.
She headed towards the house she used to go to everyday.
She saw her old family, now teenagers
eating dinner through the window
and continued to drive.
She pulled into her drive way
and started her walk up the black-top driveway
into the garage.
She walked through the garage door
and was greeted by her orange tabby cat.

At Home

Helen dragged her feet at the point of exhaustion
into the living room to see her husband, Leonard.
He was sleeping on the couch.
She went into the kitchen
to warm up last night's clam chowder.
Leonard came through the white kitchen door,
still half asleep.
"Hello, Honey. How were the children today?"
"They are all alive and well."
"It is okay! After 15 years I think everyone has forgiven you by now, especially since it wasn't even your fault in the first place."
"It will never be okay that the child I was supposed to keep safe drowned in the bathtub. No one will ever forgive that."