All My Rage

by Sabaa Tahir

“Kindness is not foolish,

Now is now, and the only thing

we know is that we don’t know shit. But for a second, I see Jamie as an adult. Icy and thin-lipped. Bony wrists and a booming voice. Persuading gullible people that the wrong path is the right one.

I think of the way denial can weave its way through a family, whisper gentle lies, and make itself at home.

“I miss her,” Abu whispers. “She knew all my secrets.”