Caroline Rose [discontinued]

6

Hamburger.
Dripping grease.
The demons in my head
Hum a haunting melody.
Fingers on a fork
No sound but wet chews
Jenkins lays on the couch
The news is on mute

"How was school today?"
Salt and pepper hair
Ketchup on chin

"Good."
The same as yesterday
And the month before

Salad in a bowl
Soggy with flavor

"Do you remember Danielle Brandt?"
Dad's voice bellows into my ears
And rattles my bones

Brown hair
Dirty blue eyes
A sunshine smile

Cinnamon buns
Cape seed loaves
Red velvet cakes

Newman Bakery on sixth
Beside my favorite apple tree
Childhood memories bleed
From my mind to my eyes
To the linoleum beneath our feet

Chocolate Sundays
Church choir noise
Pastor Fred
And his daughter Rose

After church we went to Newman's
Mommy got a pie
Daddy got a cake
I got a lollipop
It tasted just like lemonade

I nod my head slowly
And Dad purses his lips

"Her husband passed last weekend. The wake is tonight. I'm going to pay my respect, and I want you to come with me."