“There is no one like him,” our mother whispered. “But there is also no one like each of you. You are all special in your own way. I believe in you.” She looked down at Joe, a tired smile on her face. “I believe in all of you.”
IT WENT LIKE THIS:
Joe grew.
I found my tether.
I shifted.
The pain was exquisite, and I
am wolf
smell
smell everything
run fast run fast run run run
hunt i want to hunt and
father wolf
mother wolf
joe laughs he’s laughing he says you’re so pretty carter you’re so pretty
i’m not pretty
i’m amazing
kelly says
wow
kelly says
look at you
kelly says
you’re so big
kelly says stop licking me carter stop licking me stop licking
i don’t stop
i never stop and
The day came when Dad took Kelly away.
“You don’t have to worry,” Mom said. She sounded like she was trying not to laugh. I glared at her, but she kissed my forehead and ruffled my hair.
“Why is Carter worried?” Joe asked when she went back inside, leaving me on the porch. “Kelly’s with Dad.”
“Because it’s a big day,” Mom said as I paced back and forth.
They were gone for hours. By the time they came back, I was about to crawl out of my skin.