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And if not—

at least you did

everything in your power

to try and make things right.

But how?

I whisper.

Mom’s words hit hard

like a slap of sleet

across my bare cheeks.

Well, number one.

Stop feeling sorry for yourself

and have some accountability.

Take control of your life, Junie.

Make a decision about what you want

and then go after it.

After all, as you told me and Mama

you’re almost eighteen

legally grown

so, you can do what you want.

Anyway, that’s just my two cents, Junie—

you don’t have to listen to me.

But just to refresh your memory

I too have experience

fucking things up

and having to start all over again.

I’d say it’s always worth trying

to make it right.

With that, Mom pulls into our driveway

and leaves me in the carsitting with myself

and my big feelings.