I'm learning how to taste everything.

I understood what triggered her earthquakes, most of them.

So, she tells me, the words dribbling out with the cranberry muffin crumbs, commas dunked in her coffee.

Having to parent your mother or father is a challenge that way too many teens have to deal with. Teens whose parents are dealing with substance abuse, financial hardship, job loss, mental illness and divorce deserve our love, support, and compassion. I wish America would stop judging and criticizing teens and instead, try to understand the battles they have to fight every day.

My face becomes a Picasso sketch, my body slicing into pieces.

I am super proud of being an American, but we fail our veterans every day.

I nod like I’m listening,like we’re communicating, and she never knows the difference.