When Papa’s older sister, Fiona,
was fourteen, she was burned in a fire.
But she survived,
and after that, they called her Phoenix—
the bird that rose from ashes.
Auntie Phoenix was the only person in Papa’s family
who kept in touch with him
after he and Mama got married.
Today, Auntie’s husband called.
Last night she had a heart attack
and died
in peace.
Papa’s leaving for her funeral in Baltimore.
I’m not going
because I need to keep Mama company.
Mama’s not going
because she has to stay with me.
And because when Papa married Mama,
his family disowned him.