Other Woman

Most times she's okay with spending holidays alone.

bothered not at all that he is shopping for his wife
and kids while talking to her on the phone, brief
stolen minute for a call.
Sometimes, though, it hits her, random comment,
mention of an ordinary purchase for a house
that should be,(and is in dreams) her home.
He uses "we" while telling her a story, and at first she
doesn't realize he means his other life,
the part where she's not welcome, the people
with him by the Christmas trees and birthday cakes
or turkey dinners with the family.
She skips a breath, unnoticed, but the subtle shift
in air between them
makes him stop and ask if she's okay.
"I'm fine," she says. "I'm fine. They haven't long
before he has to leave again, and there's no sense in
wasting precious minutes on things that
hardly even matter.


(c) Ellen Gillette, 2013

I read something today that started me thinking about the "other women" and "other men" in life, and how holidays might affect them. Sore subject with some, especially if you've been hurt by such circumstances. Not trying to defend anyone, just took a thought and ran with it.