From Another Mother

I walk in the door
Set the keys on their hook
Down the hall to my room
Drop my coat on the floor
Change into pajamas
Grab my phone from my coat
Crawl into bed

I open the unread message
Type a reply
And send it
Thinking over the last hour
Tears run down my face
Forty-five miles away
A phone buzzes
A girl three years younger
Sits up to read the reply

The messages fly
Back and forth
As hours pass
Eventually we say
Goodnight
I lay awake
Thinking
Knowing what I need to do
Wondering what will happen
And thanking God
For my sister.