What about dinner tonight

For 67 years she asked,

"What about dinner tonight?"

Rarely were they apart 

it was always, "What about dinner?"

Then he was gone... forever

Over a year later, sitting in her wheelchair, she asks,

"When are you bringing him by?"

Then she shakes her head,

aware of the nursing home

aware he is gone

aware the questions are answered.

She blinks. 

She knows he is gone but then asks,

"What about dinner tonight?"

to the empty space beyond my shoulder.