Ciara Ann

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Mom leans the baby niece at me.

“That’s close enough,” I say.

“Why?” she asks. “What do you think will happen?”

A pause. Then, I deadpan, “It’ll explode.”

Mom leans the baby niece in closer.

“Five, four, three, two…”

I plug my ears, squeeze my eyes shut; pray to Almighty God: Please, please for an end!

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