with a half-chopped bunch of carrots on it.
The oven is on
radiating simmering heat
that would be cozy if the air didn’t feel
so charged—like after lightning strikes
our whole house
smoking with electricity.
Hello?I say, taking off my shoes.
No answer.
I peel out of my sweaty fleece
head down the bedroom hallway
and knock softly
on the main bedroom door.
Just a minute,
Mama Alice’s hoarse voice
says through the closed door.
It’s me, Mama.
Did you know the oven’s on?
Hi, Junie. Yes, I’m, uh, making shepherd’s pie.
I just needed a second.
Where’s Mom?
I ask
already knowing the answer.
She had some event
on campus.
She’ll be back later.
OK, well, are you two…
The door opens
and Mama Alice greets me
with a small smile and red eyes.
