Glass (Crank 2)

you come pick me up after

dinner?” Mom will be livid.

But I couldn’t care less.

Livid Doesn’t Cover It

I don’t announce my plans until I choke

down the last bite of pumpkin pie.

I managed to eat a little of everything

Mom cooked, and even as “maintenance”

wired as I am, it tasted better than cardboard.

I help with the dishes, then turn to leave

the kitchen. Where are you going? asks

Mom. Hunter needs a diaper change.

I lift him from his infant seat, sniff

his lavender-scented head. “Can you

watch him for me tonight? I’ve got

a date.” I grit my teeth, anticipate the fall

of Mom’s ax. It’s a heavy swing.

You’ve got a what? Kristina, you can’t

be serious. It’s Thanksgiving, for chrissake!

This is supposed to be a family day.

“Mom, you don’t understand. Trey

is here for the holiday weekend. He has

to go back to Stockton soon. I have to see

him. I…” OMG! I’m ready to admit it

for the first time. “…I’m in love with him.”

How can you love him, Kristina? You

hardly even know him. And what about

your baby? Don’t you love him anymore?

Bam! Bam! That hurts, but not as much

as it should. “Of course I still love Hunter.