#23:

Tucson

Gabby, don't shut your eyes
this time. I know
that it's your grandmother's
birthday party and you'd rather be
off anywhere else,
but it's so rude of you to squint.
You're such a photogenic girl,
now let me see those beautiful eyes.

...Gabby opened her eyes for the first time.
Gabby opened her eyes for the first time.
Gabby opened her eyes.

Tiny victories.