Family Meeting

When I get home,

I find Mom and Dad

sitting quietly

on the living room sofa,

eyes frozen

on me,

like they’re about to drop

some seriously bad news.

I’m not sure

if someone’s lost a job,

if someone has died,

or if they’re pissed

because I came in late

on a school night, or forgot

to do something I was

supposed to do.

All I know is

when there’s a family meeting,

it’s usually something grim,

and it begins with . . .