What I Left

Opening the family cabin for the summer

I left toilet paper. A hairbrush. A bottle of Advil on the windowsill. I left my two favorite t-shirts, my only pair of glasses, and clean socks. I left a stash of clean underwear too. I left rain gear that the kids have grown out of. I left a good wad of pens and a stack of unread books.

I left the place stocked for comfort if, like at the start of the pandemic, we needed to retreat to the woods fast. My favorite four things I left in case of an emergency?

Red wine, butter, popcorn, and coffee.

After we unloaded the summer supplies, we sat on the beach watching the late evening sun. Our hands greasy with popcorn and old wine, which was still surprisingly good.