the easy fix in pharmacies, but
I don’t want to be like Grandfather.
Or worse, end up like my parents—
a slave to addiction, and legal drugs
are often as addictive as controlled
substances. (Shouldn’t those really be
called uncontrollable substances?)
I learned how to mostly cope without
medication, thanks to Aunt Cora,
yoga-meister, who showed me
how the right kind of breathing
can pull my brain out of the “how
now seems” into the “what really is.”
Score one more for Aunt Cora.
THE BELL RINGS
Ms. Carol shouts out
our homework assignment
as the mass exodus
begins. I gather my stuff,
look around for Cherie,
but the only person still
in the room is the new guy.
OMG. Is he waiting for me?
Hi, he says in an accent-free
voice. California smooth.
I’m Bryce. We just moved
here from—
“California.” My fingers
are tingling. No. No. No!
Breathe deep. Breathe.