Both my parents work Tuesday;
come get me.
I’ll be ready.
What? I mean, we shouldn’t.
My legs feel weak.
I can’t imagine doing this,
but Malia seems so sure.
But won’t Lola be here?
It will be fine, she says. They won’t know.
We can tell Lola we are going to the forest.
For that long?
Etan. It would be so easy for me to not do it,
but I have been stuck at home for so long.
I’m NOT the creature!
I feel different,
I want to try!
I look for words.
I want to tell her I can’t do it.
That I don’t want to scare her parents,
or my grandfather,
but instead, something comes over me
like a strange chance,
an ancient bravery,
so I say, Okay.
Yes! She jumps on her bed,
her hands in fists.
I will be ready at noon!
So we’ll have plenty of time
to get there by 4.
But school?
Etan, you missed school before.
Just this one day, okay?