Long Way Down — The Middle Drawer

THE MIDDLE DRAWER

was the only thing ever out of place on Shawn’s side of the room,

like a random, jagged tooth

in a perfect mouth,

jammed tight between the

top drawer of shirts

folded into neat rectangles

stacked like project floors,

and the bottom drawer of socks and underwear.

Off track. Stuck. Forced in at an angle.

Seemed like the middle drawer

was jacked up on purpose to keep me and Mom out

and Shawn’s gun in.