Fallout (Crank 3)

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.