Iveliz Explains It All

Note: These pages contain the poems “Goals List,” “Updated Seventh-Grade Goal,” “Corazon de melocotén,” “I Find Mimi by the Bus Stop,” “I Should Be Doing Homework,” “I Sit with Mimi Before Bed,” “Bribes,” and “Therapy.”

In school, Iveliz ponders what Dr. Turnip said about trying again with goals instead of erasing them. Iveliz doesn’t think the list helps her. She feels other kids are easily happy while she’s a “disappointment.” In her updated list of goals, Iveliz includes not telling Turnip anything and never hurting herself.

On the bus home, Amir is absent. Akiko jokes that Iveliz can sit next to her if Iveliz acts “normal.” Akiko shows Iveliz her Victoria’s Secret perfume and discusses a Netflix show. By the bus stop, Mimi is barefoot and in her bata (robe). She calls Iveliz “Tania,” and Iveliz promises not to tell Mami that she got “locked out.”

Iveliz researches dementia and determines Mimi is between stages 4 and 5. She forgets names and events and needs help putting on certain clothes, but she can feed herself and go to the bathroom on her own. Iveliz watches Mimi swipe on her iPad. Mimi thinks it was a good day.