Fallout (Crank 3)

She pivots like a soldier on drill, goes

back inside. This day is full of surprises.

GRANDPA SCOTT SHIVERS

Cold out here. Let’s go inside.

But he creeps along, trying, I think,

to understand what this development

means. Trey has materialized, a ghost

of times best left unremembered.

And Autumn? What does she know

of those times? How much does

she really want to know? Still,

the little chills quivering through me

have nothing to do with air temp.

“I didn’t even know I had a sister

until a couple of weeks ago.”

Grandpa looks truly surprised.

Someone should have told you.

But so you know, Marie has been

trying to track her down for years.

I glance over at Mom and Trey,

who stand close to each other,

exhaling smoke into iced air.

“Why didn’t Mom ever tell me?”

Grandpa shrugs. I’ve never

quite figured Kristina out.

It’s almost like she fuels

herself on secrets and lies.

GRANDMA MARIE’S KITCHEN

Has always felt like sanctuary.

Some people might think