TESTS AND PARENTS- by Joyce Lee Wong- Seeing Emily

Our geometry tests came back

the week after Thanksgiving break.

Even as I sat with my friends at lunch

I could still see my grade:

a negative image

like a spot of harsh light

that lingers on the back of your lids

even when you close your eyes,

C.

Worse than the grade

was knowin

I could have done better

If I'd studied,

instead of spending so much time

with Nick

the weekend before the test.

"A C isn't bad, Emily." Nina said consolingly.

Liz rolled her eyes and said, "What is this,

the first C ever

in the history of Emily Wu?"

Unlike me, Liz had a natural talent

for math and science,

so I assumed she'd done well on the test.

I was sure of it when she said,

"Don't feel bad, Emily. It was a difficult proof."

I thought I heard a slightly victorious note

in her voice, but I was too caught up

in anticipating my parents' reaction to my grade

to give it much thought just then.

"Are you okay, Emily?"

Nina was looking at me with concern.

I forced a smile and said, "I'm fine.

I just don't think my parents

will be too happy about my test."

"At least they care enough

to be angry about your grades," Nina said quietly.

I looked at her, surprised.

"Your parents care about you."

"They do." Nina said. "But these days

they're more wrapped up in other things."