1980
Mrs. Kilpatrick hands us each a sheet of paper and tells us to put our pencils down.
“The purpose of this exercise is to teach you the importance of paying attention. Read the directions carefully. You may begin.”
The first sentence states, Read all directions carefully before answering the questions.
1990
Alex and her sister watch their mother fret. She frets like this once per month, when their father is to be paid. She begins to pace at 4 when he should be catching the train from Seica Mare. This, the hour when hot water runs through the taps. Quickens at a quarter till, when he should arrive at the station. Sits at the kitchen table at 5:30 when he should walk through the door, paycheck in hand.
1998
She has such a gentle way with me, years of learning the right words and tones. She always smiles softly before the words, Come talk with me. Make me laugh. She reaches for my hand, the one with the drink, controls the arm like a camera boom, has me set down the alcohol with only the force of her 14 year old will.
1980
In the corner of my eye I see Chris rapidly writing the answer to question 2. To my left, Leslie already on number 3. Even at 7, we run the race. The directions, obstacles to destination. I pick up my pencil. I can beat these kids. I have a natural ease for writing, for problems, for shortcuts. Soon, I reach the last question, having caught and passed everyone in my periphery. The final sentence states, Now that you’ve reached the end, the last step is to ignore all the previous questions. Do not make any marks on the test. Simply answer the following: I was able to read all the directions fully and completely. T/F. I look around at confused faces and surreptitious erasing.
1990
Alex and her sister enter the third bar past the station. They see the familiar slouch of their father, hear the volume of shouts that make it hard to keep walking. The laughter that drives them back towards the door. They halt their retreat at 7, a day of classes ahead. It’s 7:30, and their mother will not let them back in the house without their father. It’s 8 and the mother in hysterics, they reach him at the bar. I don’t know which one reaches for his hand, persuades him to lower the drink. I don’t know which girl helps him to his feet, barely able to bear his leaning weight. I don’t know which girl has to explain the scratches are accidental, but I have an idea.
1998
Oh, remember that song? Unfortunately. You betray your oath to me, woman! You are bound to love me in sickness and in health, with the Sundays playing softly in the background. Sickness and health, I said, not sickness alone. Where’s my drink? Forget it and sing, sweetie. Sing your song. So I say I'm in love with the world, and what is so wrong with voicing a doubt when I'm on my own?
It's perfectly fine to sleep in a chair from Monday 'til Saturday.
And what is so wrong with talking out loud when I'm all alone?
You're not the only one that I know and I'm too proud to talk to you anyway.