Page 71 of The Secret to Belonging

he stops at the doorway

turns you toward him

you’re sure? he asks

there is no rush

you answer him with your mouth

and your hands and your tongue

FEM (FIVE)

in mid-December

the norsk Rotary Club brings all the students

to Oslo for a week of tours and exhibits

Vigeland Sculpture Park

Norsk Folkemuseum

the Royal Palace

you watch hopeful Olympians practice

at the Holmenkollen ski jump

hang in the air like hawks on an updraft

you love Oslo

you miss Espen

you room with Maura

stay up all night talking

she’s bummed

her host father has health issues

she’s moving to a new family to finish the year

have you decided on college yet?

you freeze

you stutter

say you haven’t really thought about it

been so immersed in your exchange experience

hardly considered what comes after this

she says applications are due soon