The Lobsterman

The Lobsterman She sits alone, hands gripping her coffee cup Staring out the window at the mist that shrouds the village, Watching lazy rivulets of moisture meander down the glass Where is he she wonders, her imagination fearing the worst She brightens at the crunching sound of footsteps Approaching up the cottage walk The door opens, he's home, filling the room with his presence He removes his slicks as the oceans scent permeates the kitchen "You're late, I kept your supper on the burner, sit down and I'll get you a plate" He drops into a chair, acknowledging her offer with a smile "The traps were light today" he says, "my catch didn't cover the fuel" He starts to eat the meal she placed before him, his thoughts lost within himself "Tommy came home from school today, excited about a field trip" she says,"asked if he could go" "Its gonna cost $20. I told him I'd talk to you about it" He looks at her and she can see the pain in his eyes, the stress lines on his face His eyes red rimmed from too little sleep and too much worry "I've got to pay my stern-men come Friday, and a payment on the boat is coming due Might have to let one go til things get better, but a lot less traps I'll be able to pull Can't make no promises about the field trip, but I'll see what I can do" He pushes back from the table, says "I'm gonna go take a shower now" She waits til he comes back to the kitchen and they sit and talk quietly together Abruptly he says "I'm thinking I may have to sell the boat and take a job in town" She is startled by his statement, shocked he would consider such a thing All he knows is lobstering and the sea runs in his veins. Her heart aches for him "Why don't you sleep on it" she says. "You're exhausted, You need to rest" Together they retreat to their bedroom, but sleep eludes them both She lies there thinking how much she loves him, how hard he works to earn their keep He lies there thinking of tomorrow, wondering how much longer he can survive She wakes before the dawn, the bed already empty, He has departed for the harbor in the dimness of the morn She knows the sea will always be his mistress, her siren song seducing him each day She feels the helplessness and fear surround her, and she prays for a better catch today