Page 91 of The Secret to Belonging

but Espen isn’t your brother

you are not your parents

the person you want to turn to

more than anything is Alison

but you can’t because she’s the asshole

who betrayed you

and that makes you cry more

you wonder if A Little Night Music

was one of the albums your brother stole

the possibility

makes you feverish with rage

a care package arrives from Maura

Guaranteed Remedy for a Broken Heart

1. draw a hot bath, add enclosed bath salts

2. push play on enclosed Patsy Cline mix tape

3. soak in tub while eating enclosed Toblerone chocolate

4. when Patsy sings “I Fall to Pieces,” blow your nose with enclosed tissues

5. when Patsy sings “Three Cigarettes in an Ashtray,” indulge in brief revenge fantasies

(see enclosed suggestions)

6. when Patsy sings “Foolin’ Round,” scrub your troubles away with enclosed loofah (repeat as needed)

7. when Patsy sings “Crazy,” quit feeling so miserable and dry your bitchin’ self off

8. when Patsy sings “Back in Baby’s Arms,” get dressed (employ enclosed hand-knit socks) and call Espen back

9. resist self-destructive urges to take up smoking

10. resist getting drunk and doing something you’ll regret with some unsuspecting sailor on shore leave

11. remember, that which does not kill us makes us exchange students! ha!

xoxoxo

you agree to meet Espen at the skate track

he’s sitting in the bleachers

your pulse quickens

your body doesn’t understand