That Boy

That boy from up Coal City,

Mamaw said,

called up here two er three times one night.

Real late.

All bawlin’ and talkin’ ’bout

‘Why don’t you love me?’

That boy,

Mamaw said,

eyes red as the devil,

cornered Daddy

in the Dollar General parking lot,

clutched his arm,

screamed,

I’m your son!

Years later, that boy

messaged me on Facebook.

Do you know who I am?

he wrote.

I never replied.