Page 17 of The Secret to Belonging

okay, bad example. but what about tennis? what about—

you start to say, college applications, and then remember

college isn’t a factor anymore

high school is suddenly far less relevant

Mrs. Shore loves the idea

she wishes more students would go abroad

she wishes she had done it herself

she signs you both up for US Government

so you’ll still have enough credits to graduate

she writes you each letters of recommendation

she asks if you’re considering the women’s college

you say you’re thinking about it

she says you can submit your applications overseas

she says she’ll help

(you don’t know how to tell her that

going away to school is off the table

and running away from home is

your next best option

you don’t know how to say

that if you get into this exchange program

you may never come back

and if you don’t get in

you may never leave)

FIVE (FEM)

Friday night at Video Kingdom

you and Alison work until closing

at nine p.m. you slide the metal gate

across the front entrance

Alison pulls the chain on the neon open sign

reconciles the register