The thing is, though, about this world..you’re gonna die anyway. So..these minor things, like being deaf-mute or using a wheelchair or having a mental disorder..you just gotta work around that shit and get as much done as you can before you die. And this dying event..it’s usually a lot sooner than people think.
My version: Amy rolling into or crawling into the campfire..Suzanne and I weren’t able to help and there was question about whether to take her to a hospital or not..mom saying yes and dad saying no and just getting some bandages and burn cream from a local grocery. That was one of the scariest days of my life..Suzanne and I went into the forest, down a trail and were by the lake hugging and crying and saying desperate prayers to God to make our sister be alright. (Damn. That chokes me way up to remember.) Mom’s version: Mom says we were all hiking and she took Amy up to the tent while the rest of us were in the woods. Amy was 18 months, a toddler, Mom went into the tent or was too far away to catch Amy as she toddled to the fire and tripped into it, caught herself with her hands, and burned. Mom pulled her out as quickly as she could. Mom wanted to take her to a hospital right then, but Dad didn’t (he wanted to wait and see). Dad got pads and ointment for burn cream. They held her the whole night and she cried the whole night. Mom was surprised none of the other campers called the police on us. The next day, we took her to the hospital and the doctor said, “Yes, you should have brought her yesterday as soon as it happened.”
My dream, of an ash baby, my little sister’s brain and skull partially burned through. Her lying in the fire, face down, me unable to reach her.
Equally scary and heart wrenching was the time Mom burned herself while making jam..and she couldn’t just take her pants off because it would take the jam and her skin off together. So they told me to quick! run! get some ice! and they gave me $5 and I ran out the gate almost jumping over the gate but I knew I’d just fall and we’d have one more problem to deal with so I opened the gate, did quick checks left and right and ran across the street into Martin’s Mini Mart. Inside, the cashier guy was having a protracted conversation with a customer or pal so I grabbed two bags of ice and threw a five dollar bill on the counter and ran out without saying anything..back to the house where no one could believe I was back with the ice so quickly..but it’s no surprise for me..my mom is more than loved to me—she is honored, revered, idolized—I would give my life to save hers, if that was the deal. The ice got to her and over a period of days, she healed. Life is so short and so sad. It’ll inspire you—then it’ll break your fucking heart.
(last 2 sentences excellent for a book ending)
[parallel books!!]