He mentioned it so matter-of-factly
at the free medical clinic
on that frigid January evening.
"Are y'all from the U?"
"We are"
"My sister-in-law is there."
"Oh...what does she study?"
"No, she's at the university hospital.
Burn unit.
Her boyfriend murdered the kids and tried to kill her, too."
"That's awful..." is all I know to say as I pull the blood pressure cuff snug.
- J, M4