In 1st grade, I got a zero on a math test. A ZERO. We were doing these things: 3 > 1 6<7 10>8 and I got every answer wrong. All 25 questions. Wrong. My teacher circled a big, red F at the top of the page and never readdressed it with me, which really, was …
I got in trouble in junior high for making a 'slam book.' The offending questions included: What's your favorite tv show? and How many siblings do you have? and Who's your celebrity crush? My classmates passed it round and round until I had long lovely lists of people's answers. And it made me very happy. But …
That lady ate your mother. I closed my eyes. Missus Jenkins has no tact. I made the mistake of telling her about the last day me and Babs saw Momma. Which honestly, I try not to think about. It still hurts remembering that itchy-nosed lady and all her questions about gluten and additives. "You don't give …
At 20, she overdosed on sleeping pills in her mother's cellar. At 29, she drove her car into a river. At 30, Sylvia Plath finally killed herself by sticking her head in an oven. Think about that a second. One night, she placed wet towels under the doors to keep her babies safe, turned on …
Read from the beginning HERE. .................. DAY SEVENTEEN a chicken called Wanda Tonight I’m in Ollie’s old bed, watching Sophia play. Her room is way better than the bathtub. There’s so much to look at! Twinkly lights, gilded peacock wallpaper, bits of yarn, rainbow pens, swirly fan, picture books, Pokemon cards, soft poofy …
Read from the beginning HERE. ................... DAY FIFTEEN mac-n-cheese This morning I flew out of the tub and waited by the back door. Jennifer smiled super big then let me out with some fresh water and last night’s macaroni and cheese. Ollie came by and sniffed so we shared it. Then we laid …
Read from the beginning HERE. ............... DAY THIRTEEN Ollie Jennifer put me outside for a long time today. I don’t want her to forget she’s a chicken! she declared, which is the dumbest thing I ever heard. If she spent ten days outside, would she forget she’s human? Christopher says she never forgets anything, so I …
Read from the beginning HERE. ................ DAY ELEVEN trapped Ol' spider finally trapped some food tonight. I’m relieved actually, she was looking a little pale. —still. Desperate buzzing is a very sad noise. That poor fly tried to escape, tangling deeper as she inched close, creeping in such a way, I felt glad to be down here. I …
Read from the beginning HERE. ......... DAY NINE Jennifer’s poor choices The humans have a girl hatchling, Sophia. She has very busy hands and hair like a bird’s nest. Everyday she sprays me with oil of the tea trees. She also taps my torn comb with a delicate contraption called a Q-tip. I enjoy her …
Read from the beginning HERE. ........... DAY SEVEN to the bone I’m not mad anymore. Just sore. And listening to humans is interesting. I’m learning lots of new words like predator, nocturnal, hydrogen, and peroxide. They’ve also been researching how to make me better. The Google says I must keep clean and hydrated. So today I ate …
Jennifer Kabay 