They walked to the garden in the park when it was empty after dark
Ran into that creepy guy at Streetside yesterday.
Think he said his name was Ben? That was a while ago.
That one time he wanted me to sit in his car with him & "listen to his band's cd."
If that doesn't spell rape, I dunno what does.
Yesterday, was looking for the Watchmen soundtrack. Soundtracks are on the basement floor.
Basement floor's always empty.
"Hey. I remember you."
He smells like he left his laundry in the washing machine for too many days.
Maybe hasn't showered in a while. I imagine him living on somebody's couch.
"Hi." I have to be somewhat polite cos it's always like a compulsion, but the tone is short.
"You bought those Bright Eyes albums." Why does he remember that?
"Yeah." I keep sifting through rack of cds in front of me.
"You wanna grab some dinner tonight?" And he touches me. Runs his fingers through my hair.
I jerk away from him. "I gotta go." And turn.
He grabs my arm, my shoulder. Looks at me, smiling, doesn't say a word.
Don't know what I was doing. Just stared back at him, wide-eyed & slack-jawed.
Rapid heartbeat, undoubtedly gone pale. Rather unsettled.
That man is a few flowers short of an arrangement. Always known that.
He lets go, I run up the stairs, retrieve my backpack from the front, & head out the door.
Take a shower once I'm home. Head straight to Maggie's. Don't want to be alone.
We talk about boys. We play around. Poke each other in the ribs. Laugh like idiots.
Traditionally don't like pork chops, but I'll always eat whatever our mom puts in front of me, no complaints.
It's like a real family. Normal. I'm the little brother.
Have to pray before we eat. Good family values. Bless our table, Heavenly Father, & all who sit at it....
Homework. Bedtime. Our mom tucks me in snugly. Kisses the top of my head.
"Sweetdreams, God bless." Sign of the Cross on my forehead with her thumb. "Love you."
Does the same to Mags. Lights go off, door shuts. We chat back & forth for a bit & go quiet.
Feels safe, for once. My Maggie just across the room, and a mother & father just above us.
Haven't felt that calm in a long time. Maybe I'll go back there & stay for the whole weekend?
Good plan.
Think he said his name was Ben? That was a while ago.
That one time he wanted me to sit in his car with him & "listen to his band's cd."
If that doesn't spell rape, I dunno what does.
Yesterday, was looking for the Watchmen soundtrack. Soundtracks are on the basement floor.
Basement floor's always empty.
"Hey. I remember you."
He smells like he left his laundry in the washing machine for too many days.
Maybe hasn't showered in a while. I imagine him living on somebody's couch.
"Hi." I have to be somewhat polite cos it's always like a compulsion, but the tone is short.
"You bought those Bright Eyes albums." Why does he remember that?
"Yeah." I keep sifting through rack of cds in front of me.
"You wanna grab some dinner tonight?" And he touches me. Runs his fingers through my hair.
I jerk away from him. "I gotta go." And turn.
He grabs my arm, my shoulder. Looks at me, smiling, doesn't say a word.
Don't know what I was doing. Just stared back at him, wide-eyed & slack-jawed.
Rapid heartbeat, undoubtedly gone pale. Rather unsettled.
That man is a few flowers short of an arrangement. Always known that.
He lets go, I run up the stairs, retrieve my backpack from the front, & head out the door.
Take a shower once I'm home. Head straight to Maggie's. Don't want to be alone.
We talk about boys. We play around. Poke each other in the ribs. Laugh like idiots.
Traditionally don't like pork chops, but I'll always eat whatever our mom puts in front of me, no complaints.
It's like a real family. Normal. I'm the little brother.
Have to pray before we eat. Good family values. Bless our table, Heavenly Father, & all who sit at it....
Homework. Bedtime. Our mom tucks me in snugly. Kisses the top of my head.
"Sweetdreams, God bless." Sign of the Cross on my forehead with her thumb. "Love you."
Does the same to Mags. Lights go off, door shuts. We chat back & forth for a bit & go quiet.
Feels safe, for once. My Maggie just across the room, and a mother & father just above us.
Haven't felt that calm in a long time. Maybe I'll go back there & stay for the whole weekend?
Good plan.