“I’m down to a taste a couple times a day. Keeps my head on straight. A thick stream of bubbles. Pop. Pop. Pop-pop. “Fine. Then I want to try it.” His head shakes so hard, it must rattle his brain. Don’t want you to. The bubbles become a low fizz. It makes my eyes sting. “Why not?” His eyes float up. He is crying too. Because I love you too much.”

“I’m down to a taste a couple times a day. Keeps my head on straight. A thick stream of bubbles. Pop. Pop. Pop-pop. “Fine. Then I want to try it.” His head shakes so hard, it must rattle his brain. Don’t want you to. The bubbles become a low fizz. It makes my eyes sting. “Why not?” His eyes float up. He is crying too. Because I love you too much.”

— Ellen Hopkins