Ben asks me if I want to come see his Mom
and I do
but I am also terrified
because I don’t know what you say to someone
who is
so sick
but I let him lead me towards the room
while he tells me she’ll stay at least another day
but that it looks good
and I don’t need the mask
but that I will need to wash my hands
before I can touch her

Taylor is sitting on the end of the bed
reading a magazine
Paula looks like she is asleep
I wash my hands
Taylor gives me a hug
and tells me she is so glad I’m here

“Ben? Is that you?”
Ben moves to his mother’s side in two steps
he leans over
whispering something
she looks over to where I am standing with Taylor
“Lucy.” She smiles and beckons me over.
I am glad to see that she looks good
a little pale and several IV’s
but her eyes seem bright
if a little tired
she pats the bed
and I sit near her
feeling a little like an intruder
she asks about me and my family
the dance and even how my head is doing
telling me that my eye looks much better

as we visit I am amazed
that even in this place
Ben still can make his mother
and me
laugh