Crank (Crank 1)

Then she looked at my face,

all puffy and pissed, read

everything she needed to there.

Looks like we’ve got a lot to talk about.

But maybe this isn’t the best time?

I wanted to talk. Needed to.

But how could I possibly talk

to her? She was my mom.

I know I’m your mom and not always

easy to talk to. But I’m here for you.

I was ready for a lecture.

Why did she have to choose

that moment to try “nice”?

I want to hear all about your trip. Let

me know when you’re ready.

Big girls don’t cry, especially

not in front of their mommies.

But a cloudburst threatened.

I hope you’re hungry. I’m making

your favorite—lasagna and garlic bread.

I was hungry (somehow).

I was tired (still). I was hurting (inside and out).

And more than ever, I wanted to walk with the monster.

Over Lasagna and Garlic Bread

I talked about airplanes.

I talked about lonely seatmates,

third-run movies, and pretzels

(for this price!) in place of meals.

I talked about Albuquerque, bowling alley

etiquette, Los Alamos-grown cockroaches,