my
God.
And then she really
pissed me off.
Just like
a man.
Despite Grandpa
Bill’s obvious
uneasiness, I jumped.
“All men are not alike.
And, thank God, all
women are not like you.”
SHE HASN’T SPOKEN
To me since. Not that I care.
When we got home, she went
straight into the house and
retreated somewhere with
the boys. For all of ten minutes.
Then I noticed Donald join
Grandpa Bill in the family room.
He got a new game system
for Christmas. They’re playing.
I am helping Mom wash veggies
when David bops by with Sasha.
“Where’s Kristina?” I ask.
He shrugs. She went outside
to smoke a cigarette. Why
does she like those stinky things?
Mom answers, Tobacco
is addictive. Once you start