Melted Mess

I took the up escalator to the candy store at the mall.

It was last November, a chaotic Black Friday.

I had found gifts for everyone except my husband.

With a sweet tooth was as big as his sweet heart,

I knew I was in the right place at the right time.

I found a huge candy cane, all red and white -

His favorite colors because of the Chicago Bulls.

This would keep him happy all year, I reasoned.

I hid it under the driver's seat of my car.

We met at the food court at noon to eat.

We were all smiles.

Ready for Christmas.

Ready for a new year.

Just two days later,

He went into a diabetic coma.

We didn't know he was diabetic.

Luckily, he survived just fine.

He came home a changed man,

With a new lease on life.

I found that forgotten candy cane

Under my car seat, melted

After baking through the summer.

I was mad at sugar.

I used a hammer.

What a warped, cracked mess.

I feel better now.

*

This piece is for Mike Singleton's unofficial challenge: