by day two

to excuse myself to the bedroom is no longer enough
during
this storm
i retreat further in

to the bathroom
where the joists are stronger
and i don’t have to listen to the stories
being thrown around
like plastic balls
of fun times
of luxury vacations
and especially of your trip to
el paso

the bathroom
with the door closed and locked
is where i recall
MY
el paso story
the western
with plot twists
cocaine
child abuse
and escape