phone call

Photo by Scott Rodgerson on Unsplash

phone call
1988

we’re holding your son
attempted theft
of a video game

can a heart drop?
no breath to speak
doesn’t my boy understand?
his life is hard enough
heavy limp, 
one working hand
no way to slip, invisible

story comes clear
a set up
supposed friends

you can come get him
we scared him 
half to death
Ma’am, my sense— 
you've got a good boy