It’s been two weeks (and change)
since our last date—

Normally that’d feel like forever plus one,
     but June’s been movin'
     at a different clip:
              code chaos,
deadlines breathing fire,
      overcaffeinated by
  an espresso machine with more buttons than sense,
  wired Monday-to-Wednesday like sleep was optional.

Finally unplugged the coffee IV,
               slept last night—
                           deep,
                       merciful,
   quiet without jittery dreams.

Woke up wondering
     how your week’s been—
                     Good?
                      Bad?
                 Sideways?

Did the days treat you kindly,
    or do I need to have words with them?

Miss knowing the little things
     I didn’t have time to ask—
     the subtle smiles in between meetings,

     the frustrations that turn into funny stories after a glass of wine.

Tonight, I reclaim a breath—

All my teams back on field:
                     Cards,
                    Braves,
                   Rangers,
                   Dodgers,
evening stacked end-to-end
                 with bats,
                     balls,
                    scores,

  the calm voice of Vin in my head…
  narrating even when he’s not there.

Then Big Mike at Oscar’s
     for a Friday night exhale,

     letting this killer week fade gently into music.

And you—
    I hope the weekend finds you perfectly,
    fills your cup,
    unwinds your knots,
    brings easy laughs,
    warm quiet moments,

    and maybe even thoughts of me.

We may be on summer break,
   but this—

   this isn’t broken.

Just paused,
     catching our breath,

     waiting to hit play again.

Soon, Mari.

Soon.