FIGS COMMUNICATIONS

Around 2006 Bobby’s clothes are everywhere—
he cant get the dresser drawer to go in and stay level.
Around 1995 Emily trips on her blanket,
splitting her forehead open on the coffee table.
The doctors have to strap her down to stitch her up.
Sarah is born the same year.
Around 1999 I burn my skin off my arm with hot chocolate
after ice skating lessons at Reese Park rink. Uncle
Tom and Mom take me to the ER.
Around 2008 Mom goes to the hospital for a sleep study
and find she has insomnia.
Around 2001 Sarah “accidentally” shaver her bangs off
while “cleaning” Mom and Dad’s shower.
Mom makes her wear an ugly headband
for school pictures the next day.
Around 2011 Emily is accepted to Dayton University.
Mom jokes that we’ll have to take out
a second mortgage on the house.
Around 1998 I tear apart Mom’s wicker chair
to make bows and arrows.
Around 2002 A baby deer dies in our backyard while we’re
at St. Simon’s Island. It tried to jump over our pointy
fence after its mom, but its chest ripped open
and it died. Bobby sleeps with all of this stuffed
animals.
Around 1996 I audition for the Oscar Meyer Weiner commercial
with Emily. We get to see the big hot dog truck and sing the jingle.
Emily has a squeaky cry. I guess we weren’t cute enough.
Around 1994 I ask the baby sitter for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich
and she gives me a peanut butter sandwich with jelly on it.
Mom didn’t tell her that I don’t like jelly on it because
it gets soggy. Mom hears all about the incident the next morning.
Around 1995 I see Emily sit in the bottom drawer, and I join her.
The dresser falls and Emily escapes before it crashes
on my spine.