Page 150 of I Can't Even Think Straight

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I think of how Jenny jumps from the wall,

even though we’re not supposed to,

but Jenny’s never fallen or injured herself.

The others look as helpless

and shook as I feel.

“Don’t touch him!”

Jenny says to them.

“I’ll get Coach.”

Vass starts crying. “It’s my fault

for making him pose for a photo.”

I try my best to sit up,

to reassure Vass that this wasn’t their fault.

Only then do I feel

the most intense pain in my ankle and elbow

and yell out in agony.

Coach returns with Jenny

and tells everyone

to move away from me.

I’m sitting up. I cup my right elbow

with my left hand.

I can’t stand without support,

so Coach lets Vass

come with us to the hospital.

I feel like Skellig, carried

from the junk-filled garage

to the abandoned house

with a nest of fledgling owls in the attic.

I don’t have wings, and I’ll never fly.

Theía Estélla meets us

and takes over from Coach

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