She stands—satisfied with her chance to feel at one with her flesh: a dainty body composed from water; she lets a sharp whistle fly, staring into gray sky water, dreaming about a man’s face she no longer sees. Her father smiles back at her, and her raindrops shatter this picture as she feels herself reach to touch his face; she tumbles into whirling water as unconsciousness humbles her emotions, pretending that she sleeps in his arms again. When she awakens, solemn from this trip, her sister introduces her to her mother, telling her she can sleep in tomorrow— there’s no need to go to school anymore; she pulls a wool blanket around her to fall asleep in her mother’s lap forever.
Crack the Spine - Issue 173
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