She’d warned me.
She said I should call
before stopping by,
that she might be moved any day now.
I figured I’d give it a shot, though,
and popped by Dottie’s room
which was now occupied by a new patient.

Turns out she had been moved,
though her family, apparently,
neglected to inform me.
We weren’t blood;
I guess it wasn’t that important
to keep me in the loop.

The cute nurses offered consolation
for my loss
but I shrugged them off.
It’s not such a big deal.
We were only neighbors.

It’ll be quieter in the building
without her
I guess.

Probably
I should have called first.