Nothing unusual.
Nothing, except me.
I whiffed a line of willpower.
Got up, got dressed in
ratty clothes.
Hair unbrushed,
ditto teeth,
I went into
the kitchen, poured
hot black brew
and lied about my date.
Answer Before They Ask
Great strategy. Mom didn’t even snarl
when I said I was too tired to go
to Jake’s soccer game.
Once I saw her tailpipe, I called Chase.
Thirty minutes later, he chugged up
the driveway. One look, he knew.
What’s the matter, Kristina?
“Too much fun last night. Come inside.”
My mom might have accepted the lie.
Chase knew better.
You’re buzzed. But there’s more.
So much for deceit, for accepting blame.
So much for never telling a soul.
I broke down like rotting rafters.
Tell me what happened.
I told him everything, start to finish,
in minute detail. He gathered me up,
glued me back together.