Chapter 23

When I was a kid, you and your friends stole from me. Anything we had, anything you wanted: candy, clothes, blankets. You gave us Indian burns and wedgies. You tripped me, you shoved me, and you would tug me up by the hairs at the back of my neck. You made me walk back in nothing but my underwear once when you found a group of us playing with a sprinkler.

“Lean.” He pushes my forehead against the cold metal of the pole and rubs my shoulders. “Breathe. Long, slow breaths.” He starts demonstrating, waving his hand while sucking and blowing. “You do it now. Just like me.”

I can’t imagine what has happened to the blue sky. It’s black now. Black and rolling and I don’t think that’s right. I’m pretty sure it’s not right.