the summer is already dragging in our sleepy Quebec town Sam and I decided to climb the water tower We’re going to take our pictures up there and post them on Facebook That’ll impress our soccer team After ten minutes of climbing I finally reach the top My muscles are starting to relax just a little My chest still feels tight but I’m also bursting with pride I’ve conquered my fear of heights I made it I take a quick glance down Sam who looks no bigger than an elf is taking pictures I give him a small wave I feel like I’m on top of the world 8
Five Pine-Green Candles At the bottom of my cupboard I’ve hidden an old shoe box under a pile of clothes I’ve outgrown There are five pine-green candles in it Over time they’ve lost a bit of their sheen Two of the five candles have traces of dried brown gravy on them Every so often I open the box and tell myself Her fingers touched these candles I know it’s stupid but it makes me feel closer to her If our house caught on fire those five pine-green candles are the first things I’d save 9
Once in a Lifetime I know that my mother’s not dead Every year on my birthday she sends me a letter Well not exactly a letter An envelope With a few dirty crumpled 10 bills in it And always the same words scribbled on a piece of paper Happy Birthday Thomas Your mother 10
Every year for the past seven years I’ve dreamed of getting a real letter With news about my mother Where she’s living What she’s doing I would even be happy with a simple sentence like I hope you’re okay I think of you often Every year I hold out hope and every year I’m disappointed Maybe today Who knows Things can change It’s my lucky year It only happens once in a lifetime the year when your age is the same as the date you were born Today July 12 I’m turning twelve Maybe my mother will realize that She might even call me A glimmer of hope lights up in my mind A tiny fragile trembling glimmer I try not to pay too much attention to it I’ve tasted disappointment before and it doesn’t taste good 11
