Sweet as Candy: A Novel in Verse

Alone

On Saturday morning

I wake to the sound of Izzy

Pushing my bedroom door open.

“Candace?” she asks.

I sit up

Having given up on getting much sleep

When I woke up two hours ago

At five AM.

“I’m up.”

“Good.”

She eyes me

As if I’ve suddenly gone back to being a young child

Just as fragile and helpless

As I was when we first met.

Though I’m glad she cares

I’d like to believe that she’s wrong.

“Listen,” she starts.

I resist the urge to sigh

Expecting a lecture.

To my surprise

That’s not what I get.

“I’m sorry,” she says.

“I got a call from this lady who needs help remodeling her kitchen. She really wants me to go over there today, but I know you need me to be there…”

“Go,” I interrupt her.

Her jaw drops

Leaving her staring at me blankly.

“Excuse me?”

I stand up

Stretching and walking over to my closet

To find some comfortable clothes

That are somewhat presentable.

“Go help your client,” I say.

“You can just drive me over. I’ll call you when it’s time to go home.”

She considers this

Before eyeing me with concern.

“You’re sure?”

“Positive.”

She sighs

Before nodding slowly.

“Okay then,” she says.

“I’ll just leave you to get dressed.”

She closes the door

Leaving me alone

For the first time today.