The Wet Nurse I

They had sent a third party
not a Lawyer at all
A Doctor of anthropology
from Cambridge,
a family friend, and confidant

He worked under some power of attorney
within the Maxwell Estate
a legal representative in the pocket
to handle family affairs
when no member was available

It was better this way anyway
no protocol,
no embarrassing escort out of the building
They met in the park
across the street from the Estate

He handed her an envelope
with a check and her official
notice of termination
told her she didn’t have to read it then
he conveyed the Maxwells’ gratitude

Especially the unspoken gratefulness
of the baby, Jacob,
who could be assured of only the best
in his future concerns and interests,
ending with his own sincere thanks

He shook her hand warmly
but he didn’t brace her arm
or pat her shoulder,
Gail said thanks, and feigned a smile
walked away, and cried in the car

She had the day to herself
but she didn’t want to go home
her husband, Sam,
wouldn’t get there until after 5
and she didn’t want to be alone

She drove over to the gym
it would be dead in there
just the staff and the unemployed
but nobody talking to anybody
just the groans and hum of machines

She got changed in the locker room
a sports bra and t-shirt
running shorts and shoes
she looked at herself in the mirror
and thought she looked all right

She put on her Run mix
and hit the treadmill
at a sprint
going hard and fast for 45
hitting stop and running it out

Once off, She held onto the bars
standing legs outstretched
doubled over, breathing deep
her sweat pooling between her breasts
and in the crack of her ass

She toweled off
on her way to the car
checked the time on the dashboard
put her sweater on
and pulled her hair back

She drove straight to the park
and found a bench in the light
where she picked at her lunch
with the fall Sun on her face;
children somewhere in the distance

She lingered there for another hour
then sat in the car before deciding
to take the long way home
out into the hills
and circling the whole bay

When Gail made it home
the house was warm and still
she took off her shoes
her feet still felt prickly
So, she rubbed her legs and stretched

She paced back and forth
between the living room and kitchen
half debating a decision on dinner
and half just walking
to wear herself down