That Horrible Mouth of Yours

FIFTEEN.

Monday. October 21, 1975. 8 AM.

Glenda stayed with me through the night, taking up Clement's space in the apartment. She slept with her arms wrapped tightly around me, like she was afraid I would float away in the night.

You disappeared on her before, I think. Yeah, but not again. This time I'm gonna do things right.

She went with me to city hall, so we could forge my new birth certificate. The building was the biggest in town, a huge brick palace with marble steps.

"Hi," I smiled at the lady at the front desk. "Where can I get a birth certificate?"

"Second floor, office six."

The records office is dimly lit, and the cloudy weather outside does nothing to help. The woman at the counter is young, and looks very easygoing.

"I need a birth certificate," I quietly greeted her.

"Did you have a baby?" She smiles and looks at me expectantly.

"Um, no," I laugh. "It's for myself."

"Sorry?" the woman looks confused, and reaches for a form. "Why do you not have a birth certificate?"

"My mom was a hippie," I lie. "She raised me on a farm in the middle of nowhere, and she never got one for me."

"Oh, okay. You can fill out this form for me, just try to guess how old you are, if you don't know. I can file it for you as soon as you're done, sweetheart."

I scan the form: birth name, date of birth, place of birth, mother's name, father's name.

"What if I don't know my last name?" I glance at the woman.

She leans towards me and lowers her voice, "Just between us, you seem really nice, so just make up whatever you want. Don't worry, I'll make sure this gets made."

I smile at her and take a seat next to Glenda.

"Birth name?" she smirks at me.

"Martine. Martine Reynolds."

"You need a middle name," she whispers at me.

"What's yours?"

"Elizabeth," I nod at her and she scratches it down. "Okay Martine Elizabeth Reynolds, when were you born?"

"July 3, 1957. Which makes me eighteen years old, and I was born here, I guess. You can make up something for my mama's name, just don't call her Tammy."

"Got it. Daddy's name? Want me to make it up?"

I cause and think for a moment. I love my dad, and he did a better job of parenting than my mother, but I don't want to leave any clues that could lead back to my old life. I nod at Glenda and she gives the secretary the completed form.

"Honey, you come back on Wednesday and I should have it for you. But if you come and I'm not here, just ask for Carla."

"Yes ma'am," I smile at her and we walk out into the cold wind. "So, how long are you gonna stay? I don't want you to leave, but every hour you stay here you risk Eddie finding us."

"I know," she purses her lips when she looks at me. "Write me a long, long letter every month, okay moonbeam? And call me every week, I don't care about the long distance charges."

"Yeah," I nod and hot, salty tears start rolling down my face. "I'm gonna miss you so much, Glenda," the force of my hug almost topples us over.

"I'm gonna miss you, too, Luli," she grips the fabric of my sweater. "Jesus, let me buy you a real coat before I leave."