Page 123 of The Secret to Belonging

and don’t interrupt

she holds up a little cardboard folder

this is an airline ticket my host father bought me

he thought we could rendezvous at some point

France, maybe, or Greece

she puts up her hand

don’t say it

i know

the point is, it’s an open-ended ticket to anywhere

and i’m giving it to you

save what’s left of your dignity

go to Norway

she sets the ticket on top of the envelope of cash

turns to leave, then stops

what makes you think your parents

are getting the cash?

your brother probably intercepts the mail

and steals it for himself

you’re working your ass off to fund his addiction

and their roller-coaster ride through crazy-land

she swings her bag over her shoulder

take the ticket

go to Norway

it never occurred to you they might not

be getting the money

you should’ve sent it to your father’s office

instead of mailing it to the apartment

how stupid can you be?

you pick up the phone and dial

Button! your father says. we’re so glad you called