Credit Report

A mother and her son sat on the front steps of their home
She opened the mail. a cigarette
He watched the grass. summer time

What are they doing? What are they thinking? Where is she anyway?
She asked
About the girls

Questions
With the answer in
The asking of the question

He answered anyway, about asides and in analogy
She sort of listened. tore junk mail
And they joked and smiled

She opened a letter from the high school

Your child,_____, has been absent (52) days from U.S. History. a new record

Christ she said. that girl
Nothing new
She drew upon her cigarette. every class
. a letter for every class

He patted her knee
she’ll be fine. she’ll be fine

Gus poked out his head from behind a bush
All droopy and tired eyed

Hi gus
Hi gus

She said oh my god!

Those bastards she said
What he asked
What. what!

There was another letter open in her hand
I thought we were finally getting our shit together she said

What
He asked. what!

They declined us. oh
He put his arm over his mother’s shoulder
I guess that means we gotta get a cheaper car he said. no shit

An old woman turned the corner
She was old and wore a jogger’s suit and jogged in the middle of the street.

Gus ran across the street to meet her
Guuus
They said
And his mother stood up
Fast out to get him
Don’t worry!
He’s a very friendly dog!

The old lady looked up
Still jogging and said
Don’t worry
I’m not afraid
Smiled
Made kissing noises to Gus and jogged away.