Ben calls at midnight
to tell me
that his mother
is okay
that she has
pneumonia
but the doctors
think she’s strong
enough to fight it
he tells me that
he is more worried
about Taylor
who is scared
out of her mind
and how he doesn’t
know how to
help her when she
gets hysterical
he doesn’t ask
but I think that maybe
I could talk to her
and so I ask if
I can come visit
and am relieved that
Ben’s yes comes
quickly
without hesitation
after giving me directions
he asks me
to pray for his mom
and for Taylor
my heart breaks
at the heavy sorrow
in his voice