Visiting Hours

Despite Jenna’s white hair and twilight eyes, the other kids don’t believe her mother is the moon.

They say it’s just a tale her Dad tells her, and call her names.

“It’s true,” her Dad says. “See how the ocean swells when you’re close?”

“No.”

“Well, it doesn’t swell much. You’re still small.”

Her aunt gives her funny looks when she mentions this, but Jenna knows her Dad wouldn’t lie.

And she feels better, seeing her mother up there.

But once a month, the sky’s empty. That’s when a white-haired woman knocks at the door, and Jenna answers.

“Hello Mum.”