For Better or Worse?

For Better or Worse?


         (I)

Wife and mother.
Traditional definition?
A single-parent family
in the context
of marriage.

         (II)

At appointment's middle
my office phone rings.

         "Doctor, the daycare."

Excuse myself from room.
Race for hall phone.
Hear stern daycare director's
terse decree:

         "Baby woke with fever.
         He's in Sick Care.
         Pick him up early."

My thoughts run
faster than seconds.
Probably his ear.
Not contagious.
Daycare won't believe
unless baby sees
less biased doctor.
I realize my
husband hasn't started
his afternoon patients.
Fingers dash numbers
no time to ask--
"You pick baby up now.
Have partner see him.
No time to talk.
My patient's waiting.
I'll ditch 2 o'clock meeting
and be over to get baby--
Oh, and thanks...

         (III)

"Thanks!" I say.
He does me a favor?
The care of our child
is my obligation.
His oblation?
"Thanks!" I say later
when baby wakes screaming.
In the wee hours we grump
and gritch at each other.

         Husband mutters
         "No other doctor father
         helps as much as I do."

"He's your child too."

         "Only one other doctor
         has to pick his kids
         from daycare. The other docs joke
         about his housewifely duties,
         but think he should
         get a better
         wife."

"Do their kids
call them daddy
or doctor!"

Baby vomits
all over daddy.
My giggles escape
spreading healthy humor
as my husband can't help a chuckle.
The growing laughter
restores our usual
anomalous
balance
and we change
smelly sheets.

Then he rocks the baby
while the cat and I
nap.