Chapter Seven

The second time I

took pills, I

had been complaining

of a headache.

 

Mom gave me

aspirin

and it was

great.

 

All of a

sudden

I felt

calm

inside.

 

Once she was

busy cooking dinner,

I snuck

a handful

and downed them

one

at

a

time.

 

I got

calmer

and

calmer,

and soon I was

mellow

as

a

slug.

 

I felt

new

and

fantastic.

 

For the

first time since

dad

died,

I was

okay.

 

It was

new.

It was

strange.

And

I

loved

it.

 

That was

a month

after

dad

died,

and I’ve been

on them

ever

since.