Caren Krutsinger Poet Narrative

That Is Confidential Information

Today I spoke to a fourth grader who wondered what he did wrong.
Why was he sent to me - the school counselor?
I told him that I had missed him and wanted to see him.
To check out how he was doing.

He opened up, telling me many things about his family.
His mother is in jail. He told her to not shoot at the cops.
He looks just like his father.
Look his name up on a jail site, you can see him, he said.

I don’t know a jail site, I told him.
Because I don’t.
He rolled his eyes. Can I type on your computer?
He typed, but Daddy’s photo did not appear.

Many other felons did appear with the same name.
Do you get to see your dad often? I asked him.
No. So I asked, “Where does he live?”
“That is confidential information,” he informed me prissily.

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Ilene Bauer October 2, 2022 at 1:42 PM Caren - I am constantly amazed at how delightfully you can tell a story. I am such a fan! Caren Krutsinger October 2, 2022 at 2:23 PM Thank you Ilene. All I have to do is throw real life onto a page.

L Milton Hankins October 1, 2022 at 7:50 PM Fascinating, this youngster. Have you any idea how his life will turn out??? Caren Krutsinger October 2, 2022 at 2:23 PM He wants to be a judge so he can help kids. He has a football coach who is a lawyer; he adores him. I think he will be okay.

Jeff Kyser October 1, 2022 at 2:21 PM as they say, kids say the darnedest things... your life is colorful - I've got plenty of crayons in my box, but our hues don't overlap, and that makes for some interesting reads for me! Caren Krutsinger October 2, 2022 at 2:24 PM I have to admit it is so easy to write when I live my life.