We lived in the trailer park 
before I started elementary school.
We were at the very back
where the creek wove through.
At the entrance was a store 
with an attached arcade.
The man that owned the store
often gave me a metal clicker 
that sounded like crickets 
when it’s parts were squeezed together.
Looking back as an older child,
I thought it was cool
and meant I was special.
Looking back now as an adult, 
I realize it was a bribe
to keep a secret.