Laurels Literary Magazine Spring 2016 Valentine Zine | Page 9

Valentine Sampler -- Laurels 2016

can move out and go to college. It lets you do that, right
up until you start liking school and making friends. Then
it makes you drink a handle of vodka and take a bunch
of pills and puke all over your bathroom floor. Then you
end up in a hospital and doctors pump your stomach with
charcoal. Then you move back in with your parents—you
were too old to go to college anyway—and groan about
there not being any orange juice.”
She covers her face.
“Look at me, Mom.”
“I can’t talk to you right now.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I’m going to the store.”
“I’m not angry at you. This isn’t about you. I’m not
angry at you, and I’m not angry at Dad. I’m scared, Mom.”
“I don’t know how to help you, Thomas.”
“Are you going to the store?”
“Maybe.”
“Would you stay with me?”

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