Page 58 of The Secret to Belonging

you notice one skater

tall

kind face

warm eyes

he smiles at you

you glance back and the bottles clink

he’s still smiling

enough with kiddie TV

enough with reading in your room

Maura has commanded you to go and find

some age-appropriate fun

classmates invite you out to hear

Vibeke’s boyfriend’s new band

you change your clothes three times

smoke hangs in a thick haze

over the crowded club

music blares from speakers

above the bar

Margrethe waves from across the room

Vibeke hugs you and kisses your cheek

you follow her hand-knit sweater

and long permed hair

your shoes stick to the floor

skål!

pint glasses clink in a chorus of toasts

you nurse your beer

you’re not sure you like it, but you like

the feeling of a glass in your hand

it’s strange to be drinking legally

you wonder why it isn’t eighteen back home