Fallout (Crank 3)

to go get her, exposing

the handset to background

noise. Off-key singing. A chorus

of laughter. Voices I know,

and some unfamiliar, a strange

blend of old and new, all

around Aunt Cora and

Grandfather. Homesickness

swells. And not a small amount

of jealousy. They are there.

I am here. Where I swore

I wanted to be. When Aunt

Cora picks up, all I can say

through the tears is, “Just

wanted you to know I miss

you. Give Grandfather a kiss

for me. Gotta go now.”

I COULD LET TREY SLEEP

But the desire to escape

this room is driving me crazy.

“Wake up,” I urge. “The day’s

a-wasting.” It’s one of Grandfather’s

favorite sayings, and that wave

of homesickness crests.

Trey shakes off sleep reluctantly.

But when he sees my face, etched

with expectancy, he goes into

the bathroom to shower. I get

dressed again in my one nice

outfit. Brush out my hair. Put