The sensation of my step-father’s
tongue
in my mouth is unnerving
He is testing me
to see if I can keep secrets
We already have a pact
unspoken
against my mother
It started with allowing me to
eat more ice cream
stay up later
smoke cigarettes
Sneaking these things
behind my mother’s back
making it a game
so when the tongue comes
it is just another secret
in a line of
more to come
Elizabeth Marrero is a short story and children’s book writer. Her writing has been published in school literary journals. Her photographs have been published in many magazines and in an anatomy textbook. She has been an editor for the Rockvale Review and a fellowship reader for the Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow. She currently focuses on short story and children’s book writing, acrylic pour art, and photography.
