Double Sugar

 Kathy Moffet

Our first meeting without you
and I thought about our coffees,
Mine black, yours always with
double sugar and I smiled.
Margaret, the intern, had fixed
them this morning, each to our
individual wont, and she was
sitting next to me where you
always sat.  And I thought
about you at the hospital
and my asking you,
begging you,
When you get there,
give me a sign.
Please give me a sign.
Karen Drees opened the
meeting.  I lifted my cup
in a silent toast to you
and sipped.
Margaret, I whispered,
this isn't how I take it.
It has sugar.  Double sugar.
She was adamant.  I fixed yours
black as you always have it.
I sat back.  Thank you, Margaret.
I looked up at the ceiling light.
Thank you very much.