Odors

We only read the gas company directions after the fact.  Do not turn on lights or use the phone.  Do not open doors or windows.  Stay outside.  We are inside with the doors open, smelling leftover skunk smell and a cat box that needs fresh litter.  We wait for Nicor to arrive.

We woke up at 4:30

To a faint smell of gas,

Turned on every light

In the house.

Apparently

This is wrong.

Thankfully

We are still here.

Now we wait

For the gas company,

Doors open,

Noses attentive to every odor.

Skunks were busy outside

In the night.

The cat box

Needs fresh litter.

We no longer smell gas.

Still we wait,

Cat carrier ready.

My beloved will get the cat.

I am in charge

Of the carrier.

We are primed for adventure

At 6 in the morning.

We wait for adventure

At 6 A.M.