additional meetings on campus.
I know they like their independence
but when I emerge from my room
all fresh and clean
and head into the living room and kitchen
I find Mama Alice on the couch
aloneagain
pulling up a show on the TV.
Hey, Junie, Mama Alice says.
She’s still in her overalls splattered with paint
her blond hair on top of her head
in a messy bun
a Slim Jim sticking out of her mouth
as she chews on it slowly.
Hi, Mama, I say, beelining for the pantry
to load up my bag
with movie snacks.
Where are you rushing to, love?
Um—I’m going over to Lyric’s.
For a movie night—don’t want to show up
empty-handed.
That sounds nice.Mama Alice nods
studying me closely
from her perch on the couch.
And how is your
social media partnership going?
I scratch a sudden itch
just below my hairline.
I don’t want to tell Mama Alice
that things have gotten
