Page 124 of The Secret to Belonging

we’ve been meaning to call you, says your mother

we’ve got some bad news

we need to bring you up to date

it’s about your brother

the fire investigation

they found remains of paraphernalia

a violation of his probationary diversion

the insurance company’s refusing to pay

your brother is moving to Lompoc

they’re sending him to prison

there’s a prison in Lompoc

he has to serve time

he isn’t there yet but they’ll be moving him soon

your brother has to go away

your brother has to go away

finally

finally

finally

finally

your parents will finally be free

one more thing, your father says

we know this may seem odd, says your mother

Lompoc is a long way from Glendale

almost three hours without rush hour

we can’t let him endure this alone

he will never survive in there alone

so we’re moving

a studio apartment

we’re moving to Lompoc

a studio apartment with a walk-in closet