In the third story from my collection, two adolescents caught up in a first love retreat to the lagoon where they had their first kiss and learn the ugly truths about one another.

LAGOON

HERE WE ARE. You told your ma you were at Sandy’s house and she believed you again. Duckweed has covered the lagoon and made it nuclear green—the bullfrogs blend in. I see one of their long, pink tongues snare a fly and wonder what it’d taste like. The sky is white but the sun is strong and the clouds look like smudges. You just took my hand for the first time. Even after this day’s over, I know in my head that I’ll keep these lazy moments with you—I’ll think about them till my memory’s all gone.