Roadside Boat

Two boats by the roadside
or was it just one?
Perhaps it got towed
and repaired
while I ate, or peed, or
took a break from the
record-breaking heat.
A few hours down the road,
or the next day,
it broke down again
for me to pass a
second time.
Whatever.
One boat or two,
they looked alike.
A white boat, meant for the water,
meant for a family to take
out for fun.
Maybe it didn't break down at all.
Maybe the family did.
Mom pulling hubby's pride and joy with her Tahoe,
crying toddler in the back seat,
whining teen in the front,
dad ahead with the U-Haul,
and she just can't take it any more.
Leaves the boat by the roadside
and tells him he'll hear
from her lawyer next week.
He can pick up the boat another day
his own self.
She has had it.
She'll be fine. She'll find a job
maybe subbing for the teenager's school
or at the day care where
the little one will get free tuition
for her labors, plus enough
to keep them afloat
until everything's settled.
She gets the kids and most of the headaches
but she's gotten rid of the biggest.
He gets to keep the boat.
One boat or two,
broken down or left behind,
it really doesn't matter.
Not to me.

(c) Ellen Gillette, 2012