She stood with me in the cold
rain, giggling as we hid our
waiting for each other. She was
all that I wanted. Finally, I got
my chance as we kissed tenderly
in the night.

Mammoth was becoming my second
home. It had seasons unlike back here
in Laguna. Catching fish in the spring,
and throwing snow in the winter were
our favorite past times.

My brother and I finally had control.
he was in the driver’s seat, making me
the co-pilot. On the way to school he
taught me of the world. He showed
me my first real taste of music. I was
in punk rock bliss.

She tried to end her life. I did
what I could to stop her, blurting
out that I loved her. It wasn’t true
but her life mattered more than
my principles.

I agreed to go with mother, following
my brother’s decision. It seemed like
the greatest idea. To us, nothing
could possibly have gone wrong.
We quickly regretted our childish
innocence and foolishness.

Dad got married again. When he told
us of the proposal, we sat in shock.
Objections and betrayal filled
every part of my mind, but I could
not speak. I was dying to, but
I could not.