Fallout (Crank 3)

the circumstances of my birth, what

about my deeper dishonesty?

How much truth do I want to tell him?

MY STOMACH STIRS

And I’m pretty sure it has nothing

to do with the thought of lies.

Hope I’m not coming down with

Grandfather’s bug. Wonder if it’s cat

flu or dog flu, or some other

new, improved, unidentified strain.

He’s actually a little better today,

and seeing as how he’s a member

of one of those “high-risk populations,”

I guess that’s a really good thing.

I wander down the hall to check

on him, but he’s in the bathroom.

God! The smell coming from

his bedroom is going to make me …

Quick. Run to the other bathroom,

reach the toilet just in time for

my stomach to jet a horrid stream

of oatmeal and yogurt. Breakfast.

I HEAVE

And heave,

sweat breaking

out on my forehead.

Gut clenching

and letting go.

Clenching. Great.

Who will take care