Going Home

The clock ticks. 4:26 am Nurses whispering, Baby cries, heart rate monitor beeping, Fan hums. Cart wheels rattle. Cleaning solution and coffee. Strange bedspread. “Made with love” From the donation closet. Vanilla cake, crumbling. No one's birthday. Unsettled, scared, longing. Parents laughing, brothers running. Baby sister shrieking. TV cartoons. Banana bread. Scattered lego. Random shoe. Burnt grilled cheese. Dad says “It’s perfect”. More ketchup. Chess board waiting to be played. Pillows, warm sheets, soft quilt. “Made with love”. From grandma. Happy, safe, comfortable. The clock ticks. 8:47 am Footsteps, white coat, clipboard, “sign here”. Going home.