person place or bird

we are practicing the imperfect tense

and Elena asks (in Spanish) what’s something you did as a kid

that you don’t do now
I say I cried a lot as a kid

but now
I cry even more

she asks what was the last party you went to like
I say I brought a cake

and a hurt pigeon I found on the way
I brought the cake in a box
I brought the pigeon in a paper bag
I ate a sausage

and headed uptown to bring the pigeon to the wildlife clinic

how was it? Elena asked

misunderstanding, I said the cake was delicious, the party was fine

no, the pigeon, she corrected

and not having the words or the grace in any language
I say, she’s dead now

and we both frown