Fallout (Crank 3)

“I don’t understand. How could

you not know where I was?”

HIS EYES LIFT

Then they settle somewhere

over my shoulder, grow cold.

He points. Ask him. Grandfather

has come into the room, silent as

still air. I don’t have to turn to feel

him there. The tension is solid.

His trembling voice falls, a bag

of marbles, over my shoulder.

You. Get out of my chair.

Trey does not comply right

away. But as Grandfather starts

to move, he stands. Tell her.

Grandfather limps slowly

toward his chair. He is pale

as paper. I stay silent as

he sits and meets my eyes.

We were just trying to protect

you, Cora and I … we …

He pauses too long, so Trey

expands, They kept moving

around when you were little.

THINGS FALL INTO PLACE

Suddenly. Frequent

moves to different

little Texas towns.

Different schools.

Different friends.