Fallout (Crank 3)

seem wise

matter anyway.

I want to keep thinking he’s the enemy.

But suddenly he’s

just a man

not a monster

no longer a stranger.

My father.

THE BUZZ QUIETS

Blood pressure drops.

Anger dissipates, ghostlike.

But I’m still just this side

of wasted drunk. Enough

for me to open my mouth

and say, “Did you know

Kristina got pregnant that

night?” I think surprise

should surface in his eyes.

Instead he says, Actually, yes.

She sort of blackmailed

me into abortion money.

A half laugh stutters out.

“You still don’t get it, do you?

I’m that baby. And you, quite

probably, are my biological father.”

HIS JAW PLUMMETS

And that alone is almost worth

every emotion I’ve lately

sorted through. “Really.

I mean, hello. Have you