What Happens Next“What should we do?” I asked Papa.
I was seven back then. An injured bird flew
inside the house, repeatedly rushing and banging
towards the glass windows and doors, until it
fell like a heap on the floor, its wings stained
with blood. I wanted to scoop the little bird
up in my palms but Papa said to leave it
alone; it was about to die anyway.
I watched Polly as it struggled to live.
Its tiny chest heaved, its eyes blinked rapidly.
I tried singing to it, so that it wouldn’t feel so alone.
When Polly finally died I asked, “Papa,
Where do we go when we die?”
“If you’re a good kid you’ll go to heaven.”
He said, taking Polly with gloved hands and
gently placing her in a plastic bag.
“And if I’m bad?” I asked, following Papa as
he walked to the door.
“You will be born again so you can fix your mistakes.”
“What if they can’t be fixed?”
Papa's footsteps were solid and sure, compared to mine;
my shoes squeaked against the floorboards,
loud and unwelcome.
“Mistakes can always be fixed.”
We buried Polly in the garden, and I placed a
big, mossy rock to mark her grave.
Two fat tears rolled down my cheek.
My heart was quiet, but I had to make sure:
“Do we always get one more chance, Papa?”
“You get more than that.” He said, and
when I looked at his smile I knew
that Polly would be okay.
The clouds rumbled overhead and Papa took my hand
as we both ran back towards the house, laughing
as the rain gained momentum,
our wet, muddy shoes making marks
on the dark, wooden floor.