Gym Should Be Illegal. It's Humiliating.

I Shake My Head. I Pick Up The Rake And Start Making The Dead-leaf Pile Neater. A Blister Pops And Stains The Rake Handle Like A Tear. Dad Nods And Walks To The Jeep, Keys Jangling In His Fingers. A Mockingbird Lands On A Low Oak Branch And Scolds Me. I Rake The Leaves Out Of My Throat. Me: "can You Buy Some Seeds? Flower Seeds?

He Doesn't See My Breasts Or My Waist Or My Hips. He Only Sees The Nightmare.

Be Careful What You Wish For. There's Always A Catch.

You Have To Know What You Stand For, Not Just What You Stand Against.

Sometimes Being An Adult Means Doing The Right Thing, Even If It's Not What You Want.