That April afternoon, atop the slide in the backyard at Sandy’s daycare, Brady and I plucked fresh leaves from the maple tree and collected them in a plastic beach bucket. Brady dared me to eat one, and I did. It got stuck halfway down my throat, but I gulped it down.

when you are sick

i will be there

It would be evening soon and
We walked among yellowing willows

it's like
you make decisions in a dream