Now That You Mention The Mergansers

He stared through the mist.

Beneath the window, two mergansers 

took off  down the lake, 

swimming a few feet ahead 

of a pursuing golden lab. 

Always a  few feet ahead. 

“Now that you mention it...

I could be better. And while

we’re at it, you’re not helping

things much. Not calling. But 

I only say this because you ask.” 

He picked up the glass. Wiped

a wet ring of scotch on the 

counter with a towel. “I know.

I know it’s my own fault. No 

one to blame but me. Still. 

Knowing that he’s beside you 

as we talk on the phone is...  

well, you know the rest of 

it. But I say all this only because 

you asked.” And just as she

hung up in his ear, two mergansers 

scurried away, keeping a few feet 

ahead of a pursuing golden lab.