and gray. I haven’t yet shaken the chill.
Ms. Shreeveport gave me a three-day
reprieve, time for an early Christmas
celebration. So much to celebrate
and all. I didn’t tell Kyle when I called
him. Wanted to do that face-to-face.
We were actually belly-to-belly on
the seat of his truck when I started
to cry. “Hold me. I don’t want to go.”
I can’t hold you much tighter.
And you’re not going anywhere.
“Yes. I am. They’re taking me
to Fresno. To a new foster home.”
He looked down into my eyes.
When? How long have you known?
“Day after tomorrow. I just found
out yesterday. It’s because of Dad.”
He brushed the hair away from
my face. Dried my cheeks with
the back of his hand. Shook his
head. I can’t let you go. Not now.
You make life worth living.
If you leave, I have nothing.
I lifted my face. Kissed him.
“I don’t have a choice. It’s all set
up. I start school at Roosevelt
after vacation.” He slumped down
on me. Heavy. Weighted. Then
he started to cry. This is fucked up.
Which made me cry more too.