Father slapped me across the face

When I asked him

Why he was never home

Anymore.

Mother collapsed onto the ground

When I called the nanny

“Mommy.”

Teacher shook her head

When I didn’t have

The parental permission slip signed,

Even a week later.

Friend gasped out loud

When I bought a cafeteria lunch

Because my mother didn’t pack me

A peanut butter and jelly

Like hers did.

Pastor nodded in my direction

With a sympathetic smile

When he saw me sitting in church alone

Again.

Nurse shrugged her shoulders

And handed me a bucket to throw up in

When Mother didn’t answer,

Even after ten calls.

But none of them ever asked how I felt,

Having parents who weren’t around.