T.

Absolutely certain that I'd left the beets roasting

in a 425 degree oven -- and this realization came

four hours after I put them on to cook -- I dashed

into my car and did my best not to careen across

the Floating Bridge, all the while attempting

to call Paul, who wouldn't answer. I envisioned smoke,

an emergency crew blocking the street, the house

a remnant of ashes. Wait! I've done this before --

don't I have credit? (January 15th, 1987, Reilly

at nine months asleep in his crib, when a tendril

of smoke curled into the bedroom, then a cloud,

then billow upon billow --) Why wasn't Paul answering?

Had he succumbed to smoke inhalation?

What about the cat? Was I doomed to widowhood

perpetually????

As I exited I-90 onto 405, my phone rang, and of course

it was Paul, calm, at home. And when I asked him

if I left the beets in the oven, his said, "Oh! That's

what that smell is!" (And a noticecable lack of smoke.)

Phew! I eased the pressure on the gas pedal.

Yes, the beets were in the oven, carbonized,

ressembling very small charcoal briquets.

And the house exuded the pleasing aroma

of burgers cooking on the grill.