It would do no good
to tell Kelly-Anne the whole
truth
and nothing but the truth,
so
instead
I make her tea and
change the bedcovers
and vaguely mention Marla’s
hospitalisation from a fall and not
from her confusion.
She isn’t a weirdo, is she? Kelly-Anne wonders.
Unlike Lucy,
Kelly-Anne avoids touching things,
won’t lean against the walls
for the first hour.
You sure she wouldn’t mind me staying?
I say no because it’s the truth.
I don’t think Marla would mind.
Even so.
I keep the lights low and the curtains drawn.