
Alone Together
Picture this:
It’s recess and all of your friends are playing Ring around the Rosie, except you. You already fell down.
You go to class and present your new business idea. Everyone had the same idea, except you. Your idea was completely different.
You’re back playing games again. This time it’s musical chairs. There are four people left and you’re one of them. Everyone sits down, except you. There was never a chair for you in the first place.
Your friends come over after school. They’re whispering across the room but you can’t hear.
“what are you guys talking about?”
“Oh nothing.”
You wake up, brush your teeth. Mom made breakfast. You feel a little different today. She notices. You surreptitiously slurp down your Cheerios.
“What’s wrong sweetheart? You seem upset.”
You think about telling her how you feel so alone. Not alone. You don’t want to make her worry. But separate. Isolated. You can’t totally express your feelings because you’re just so awkward when it comes to yourself. You want to blast off into interstellar space and never return. Or maybe you’re already there. Your head boils like a hot balloon. Your fists are clenched around your spoon like a monkey wrench on a banana. Eat some more Cheerios.
“I’ve got to go to school. Love you.”
