vacation stories
(majorly editing mine),
tried out for honor choir
and actually made it, despite
a voice gone raspy from excess
and mushrooming allergies.
Did my best to absorb
the energy of family,
meals, Sunday church,
and a Labor Day camp out.
And I managed all that,
barely thinking
about the monster
or wondering what
Chase or Brendan or Adam
might be up to.
Until in one fateful day
Adam wrote, Brendan called,
and Chase showed up to drive
me home after school.
Backpack Bulging
I climbed into Chase’s truck,
slid close. “Where ya been?”
We moved to Sparks. I had to transfer.
Solid explanation. Still,
“Why didn’t you call?”
I did. You were grounded. Remember?
That excuse was shakier.
“Not for the last two weeks.”
I wanted to give you some space.