Alison adds your name to her answering machine
you get hired at a video store at the Northridge Mall
bring home microwave popcorn and Red Vines
Alison starts school
you get a second job at Mayfair Market
bring home day-old bread and wilted produce
one morning on her way out the door
Alison pauses
picks up a stamped envelope ready to mail
what’s this?
shit
you didn’t mean for her to see the letter
addressed to your parents
what. the fuck. is this?
you’re sending them money??
after everything that’s happened, you’re still
sending them money???
you can’t explain it
your father standing at the ashes
your mother crying in agony
if you’re able to help them, shouldn’t you?
don’t you have a basic human obligation?
the truth is, it’s easier to just send cash
than to live with the guilt of abandoning them
Alison shakes her head
they really hooked you good
Alison goes into the bedroom and comes back
with something in her hand
sits down next to you on the futon
listen, she says