Under the Table

Mom made it,

cherry with sour bits

and all pink frosting

with an angel on top

my friends are all here

and there's red pop

and balloons,

I'm so lucky.

They're all singing

clapping for my birthday!

Then dad made mom slam the door

and she's crying. All my friends

are quiet. I slip off my seat, the girls

follow. I hold my finger cross my lips.

Shhh.

Now they're yelling.

I squeeze my eyes shut, cover ears

What did I do?

Why are they so mad?

Am I in trouble?

I hope they don't look under here.

Now there's silence. I peek out

climb back on my chair.

No one looks at each other.

Dad's gone outside. Whew-wee.

That was close. Mom tries to smile

"you want ice cream? I got bubble gum"

I freeze, shrug my shoulders. My friend

says yes, so we all nod. It doesn't taste

good any more.