Home.
We’re back home.
Daddo says he’s worried about the money for all the alarms being put in but he said he’s more worried about not
spending the same money. Mommy and Daddo are worried about work. Mommy called her work today and she
sounded upset with them. I overheard Daddo lying to his. But when he came out of the den he said it didn’t matter
and that it couldn’t matter. We need alarms, he said. We need something.
We all sl ept together on a mattress in the living room last night. They took turns staying awake. Nothing bad
happened, but Mommy and Daddo look tired.
And so like Daddo said, We need something.
And there’s a lot of alarms. And a lot of people putting them in.
In every room of the house.
There are cameras and be epers and so much stuff I don’t know what all of it’s called exc ept someone told me there
are “motion detectors” now.
And Mommy says “the dogs” are on their way.
Dogs.
Mommy told me twice these dogs “are not puppies” and they aren’t really “pets,” but I don’t care.
Dogs!
She said they’re “Cane Corso” dogs and they’re “kid-friendly” but I can tell she’s worried about that. Daddo said a
trainer is coming with them and she’ll tell us all we need to know about the dogs. Mommy said she didn’t know
the dogs’ names but that they will have names and no I cannot name them.
Dogs!
In our house.
Bela, Daddo says, make sure you stick by Mommy or me at all times.
All times.
Mommy isn’t the only one who’s seen Other Mommy now.
Is Grandma Ruth coming over soon? I ask Daddo.
I don’t know, Daddo says. She needed a break. Love you, but don’t ask again.
A black van pulls into our driveway. I watch it through the den window.
It says: chaps security: ke ep chaps secure I run to the front door. Daddo yells behind me, Bela, what did I just say?
More alarm people get out of the van. No dogs. Neighbors are watching our house. They’re in their windows and
at their doors. Some older kids don’t kick the ball that’s on the grass between them.
Daddo comes up next to me. He still hasn’t shaved.
We’re the talk of the town, he says.
The alarm people from the van carry more stuff to the front door and set it on the front porch. They’re putting
alarms outside the house too.
Outside and inside.
Alarms.
And dogs.
Mommy comes up the hall.
Okay, she says. I was just making sure Bela was with you.
The people look at Mommy and Daddo funny when they say things like this.
I haven’t let her out of my sight, Daddo says.
I feel like Mommy and Daddo have put alarms all over themselves too.
Like they have alarms and dogs inside them.
I don’t want my parents to get divorced.
Should I be happy they’re making the house safer? Does that mean they’re trying to protect what they already
have?
I think of Other Mommy on her knees in my bedroom, back before Mommy ever saw her. She was talking about
reincarnation like she always does and I asked her how long did she need my heart for?
O, I wouldn’t stay long, she said. A life.
I asked her what did she mean? I thought she just wanted my heart?
Then she said, I’ll ke ep asking until you answer like a friend, Bela. And you must be a friend. Because if you’re
not, then why play nice?
Then she went back into the closet and the closet doors closed.
Now all the closets have alarms and motion sensors.
What will happen the next time she comes out?
And what face will she make when she realizes the entire house is saying no?