Page 14 of The Secret to Belonging

every time the phone rings

your mother’s heart stops

every time a car crashes

your father’s heart breaks

they are so relieved he isn’t dead

they give him anything he wants

he’s rendered them permanently terrified

makes them regret they can’t do more

enslaves them in their fear

uses their lifelines to strangle them

unconditional love constitutes

full consent to be abused

you are never going to have children

there are five minutes between classes

the hallways are packed

you’re passing the lockers on your way to French

when you see Alison coming from Spanish

assembly today! she hollers over the crowd

we’re going abroad next year!

she disappears into biology

there is no time for questions

Alison has been your best friend

since you were nine

and her mom gave you a ride

after Girl Scouts

your parents were in a meeting

at the principal’s office

something your brother did

they forgot to come get you

Alison saw you crying