Cheryl

Yesterday, I showed my mom the short story

I wrote as a makeup for Ms. Hawes’s class

about a girl who stops taking crap from guys.

I got a dollar for my A.

This morning, Nuts & Chews set a gold

foil box on my place mat. Neatly folded

inside, an olive-green mohair sweater.

Cardigan, my size.

I think Mom’s and my story will

have a happy ending, after all.

His name is Lou.