Page 37 of The Secret to Belonging

Kristen is offended by Karl-Peter’s declaration

of course she’s Norwegian, she says.

her grandparents were born here, after all

hmm, says Maura. but can you be Norwegian

and American at the same time?

now Kristen is offended by Maura

Maura catches your eye and winks

you smile and hope your mouthful of egg

doesn’t look too gross

tusen takk for maten, you say

late nights in the dorm

you and Maura learn each other’s tragedies

addiction (your brother)

suicide (her stepmom)

you look up the words in your norsk dictionaries

but decide not to memorize them

you practice reciting the Norwegian alphabet

(including å ø æ)

you confess that you want to

go to college and make a life (you)

publish poetry and make art (her)

for some reason

here

it feels possible

during your two weeks of sommerskole

Karl-Peter ensures you can

conjugate simple verbs

modify masculine and feminine nouns with articles

and speak a few simple sentences, most important of which is

kan du være så snill og snakke litt saktere?