HIDING

Jimmy, the doorman, says hello,

I push the elevator button, make it glow.

Breath speeding up, can’t wait to tell Dad

I’ve got my theme.

Turn the key.

Walk down the hall.

Go to his room.

But as I turn the handle on his bedroom door—

I hear a yelp.

I hear a NO!

And then I see:

James, naked on my parents’ bed.

Dad, beet-red, naked,

hiding

his lower body behind the door.