Here We Go Again

by Alison Cochrun

want you to get out of this one Taco Bell town.”

“Throwing it into the Grand Canyon is a metaphor. This is a national park. You can’t litter. Just stick the binder under your seat or something.”

And that’s the problem with her ADHD brain. If she lets it feel one thing, it will feel all the things, all the time. It doesn’t do moderation either. Every emotion is always at eleven, which is why it’s easiest not to feel anything at all.

“America is being a shady bitch, and I’m not going to her birthday party.”

“A secret, underground, Fourth of July amateur drag show at a church?”

“I haven’t been to a drag show in over thirty years. Drag shows were supposed to be a place where we were safe. A place where we could escape their hate and love ourselves. But they don’t want us to love ourselves, not even behind closed doors. And that’s hard for me because I love safety.” “So do I.” Rita’s fake nails dig into Rosemary’s hand as she squeezes. “I know you do, Rosie. That’s why I’m telling you. Some things are more important than safety.”

“You like safety, and I’m the opposite of safe. I’m a thousand red flags cobbled together in the shape of a woman. I’m great in small doses, but I’m not the woman people stick around for.

“I know you think your impulsivity is a flaw, but it’s a gift,” Joe insists. “Life is too short. You’ve got to jump in with both feet.”

You are my favorite adventure.