This document is a short story told from the perspective of a teenage girl named Ally. It follows her interactions with her family over the course of a few days. The story touches on themes of family relationships, coping with loss or absence, and the power of music and art. Key events include Ally listening to songs and commenting on them with her brother Lincoln, having conversations with her mom about the past, and going for a long walk in the desert with her dad.
18. What I Notice During the Looped Pauses
A whisper of orange on
There was
the horizon.
desert in
Pakistan,
A thousand black but I don’t
turbines. remember it.
Miles of solar panels like a
black ocean I’ve never seen
close up. All I
remember is
You can’t get used to the this.
stars, no matter how long
you live here.
21. Slide Slogans from School That I Fire at Mom
(just to annoy her)
“Please, Ally,
have mercy!”
“Give us the Mom says.
issues, not “A word-wall is a
But she’s
the tissues!” long haul!”
laughing.
“Add a graphic
and increase your “Charts should illuminate,
traffic!” not complicate!”
27. Lincoln’s Bed Is on the Other Side of the Wall
from My Bed
• 2 knocks from his side = • 2 knocks from my side
“Good night, Ally.” = “Good night, Linc.”
• Mom will go to his room • I can hear them talking
next. through the wall.
• Lincoln gets her longest. • I get her first.
32. Kids—c
Dinner prty Buy Sharpies all Gma
Mom’s “Art”
Langs—bring Blk Blake!!
wine!
Caring for
your
She uses Ally SmartFan
They come from sleepover
“found @Suzette
objects. our house and 9/19
” our lives.
Eye appt
3:30
Pick Wed
up She glues Ada’s
shoes She says them Linc—therapy pie
they’re onto 2pm crust—
precious use
1/18 boards lard!
Grapes because and
Skim milk they’re casual shellacs
Earl Grey tea and them.
Drew shampoo meaningless.
Krazy Glue
Peanut butter “But they Mexico Flight
Rolaids tell the Conf:#:XJKD78
whole story I look when she’s 77
if you really not there.
look.”
33. Ways It Can Be When Dad Comes Back
Sits in
Ca
Kissin
g Befor r
Mom Comi e
ng In
Hugg
Tellin ing
g Mom
Storie
s
Silent
Laugh
ing
Wine Angry
Co
Poppi rk
ng
Gin P
ourin
g
34. Dad Comes Home Late
I hear the Mom has
brushing her arms
door around
through my Dad. They don’t
sleep.
say
anything.
His face is
I peek
in her hair.
through
my door
slit.
There’s a blanket on
Mom’s Waiting Chair
where she fell asleep.
41. Dad’s Questions/Lincoln’s
Answers
Can I play
I see music, Dad?
them at
Any kids school.
I’d
you feel Not rather
today. play
like asking Three.
music.
over to Nope.
play? We
Did you lost
How have music Want to
many at- 5–2.
class with have a
bats did Mom? catch after
you dinner?
have? Anything
new at
How did
school
the game
today?
go the
other
night?
42. Signs That Dad Isn’t Happy
“Sure, Linc,” he says, after
dinner. “Let’s hear some music.”
48. “The pause makes you think the song
will end. And then the song isn’t really
over, so you’re relieved. But then the
song does actually end, because every
song ends, obviously, and THAT.
TIME. THE. END. IS. FOR.
REAL.”
68. What I Hear as I’m Falling Asleep
Hey You
Yeah.
Linc. hear that No.
sound?
That. No, Pop.
Here, let’s stand by the
window. Listen with me.
What does that sound like
to you?
