does that make any sense? 

you ask while we're sitting at your dad's kitchen table

and it's a good thing he's sitting in his office 

because this house amplifies everything

and that's one thing that's always freaked me out about it–

aside from your mother’s license plates

that I’ve committed to memory

though I’ve only ever seen them framed in gold 

next to a wooden cross and this portrait of her wearing all white,

and the way that she built love into the concrete

in between the marble counter and stone floors

into you.

this house amplifies everything

so i don’t respond to the question

and you don’t ask it again

but i raise my eyebrow 

and continue eating the food your dad paid for.