50.

Here’s the deal:

On the drive home

from the hospital

and my first visit

with her

I think of Liz’s words,

to be careful.

I think about them

the whole hour

home.

And I cannot figure it out.

Why be careful?

Of what?

Of who?

Does something wait in the dark

for me?

Did something wait in

the dark for Liz?

I think hard about

her changes.

Think of when

the crying began.

When was it my sister

decided going was

better than

staying?

When was it I

had to be

careful?