At the Table

 

He sits at the table staring into his coffee

With tears rolling down his face

A short four days ago

She sat across the table from him

Feeding their son and getting ready to go

To her mother’s house

For her mother’s birthday

It has been only one day

Since he buried his wife and child

They stayed too long

Eating cake and ice cream

Opening the presents

Then walking by the lake

After they ate dinner they started home

With a kiss, a hug and I love you

They pulled onto the road that dark night

It started to rain

 

It is a two-hour drive home

From grandmother’s house

She wanted to make it faster than that

She had to work early the next morning

Then it happened

The car started to slide

Off the road they went

Hitting a tree that killed them both

Now he sits at the table

With his gun in hand

Drinking one more cup of coffee

And then all the pain will end