Just to be sure

I reviewed the training video

Three times

Asked the director of nursing to critique my technique

Compulsively followed the CDC diagrams

Depicting proper donning and doffing

Gloves-gown-mask-goggles

And washed my hands

Washed my hands

Washed my hands

To the rhythm of silent Hail Marys.

Returning home, in the garage

I stripped off my scrubs

Discarded them directly into the washer

To de-contaminate in isolation from family laundry

Then showered off the stench of plastic- gown sweat.

But finally when I felt safe to greet you

There was

The slightest nearly imperceptible pause

Before we kissed

And when we embraced

The slightest nearly imperceptible release

Just a moment too soon

And I realized

Fear of contagion

Had infected our home.