“are you okay?”
janice, the class monitor
tapped on the girl’s table
to draw her attention.
for the first time in weeks
she replied to her inquiries.
“yes.”
the girl fiddled with her fingers
as she thought of the boy
the boy who had saved her.
it was then that it hit her:
perhaps the boy was not too far away
perhaps he was not as gone;
as she believed he was.
“i heard what the nurse told the teacher.”
janice slid into His seat
smiling at her.
“i can help you.”
“i’m not crazy, janice.”
“i know you’re not-
but i knew
everyone else thought so.
and i’m offering you my help
because i also believe-“
“shut up, janice.”
the girl covered her ears
but janice pried away her fingers
so she could hear her
janice wanted her to hear
and she wanted her to believe
that it could be done.
“listen;
maybe he came back for you.”