The book is Mark Salzman’s “Lying Awake”
Not knowing what to say during a four-hour infusion
I decided I would read to Mom,
like she once read to me.
But what?
She only read Christian Inspiration,
and I was feeling neither
except for this slim story
about a Carmelite nun who almost loses her faith
when forced to choose between God and healing.
I bought the book but didn’t put Mom’s name in it.
It would be mine soon enough.
She finished chemo, well again.
I left the book with her
its final chapter unread.
After she was gone, I couldn’t find the book.
When we moved Dad out of that house, I still couldn’t find it.
The final chapter will have to wait.