that she falls asleep most nights in her own bed with her nose buried in the splayed spine of a university textbook.
i see that she needs a wrist watch with a second second-hand 'cause there isn't enough time in her week for two part-time jobs on opposite sides of town on top of her full load of courses.
i see that she searches for the patience to nurture her baby sister, the strength to scold her adolescent brothers, and the courage to forgive her father and mother for raising only one of their four children before giving in to depression and addiction.
i see that she has needs.
her blood flows red and no one would blame her for inviting a man to share her bed especially not a brother as fine as him him who brings her flowers every tuesday at 1:23 pm because she dared him to once and he promised to return every week thereafter if only she would reproduce that same smile.
i see that she is now sick every morning and sick every evening when considering the choice before her.
i see that she and he were not meant to be a family possibly because he already has one probably because her own is more than she can handle.
i see that she will choose without regard for her first communion or confirmation but in strict accordance with what she believes are her own limitations.