you sister wants to see a shrink

and she cried about her birthday

mom said it softly

eyes red

a tear clinging to the corner of her eye

why does she want such a big fuss out of her birthday

they aren't such a big deal

is the first thought that flashes

i have never in my god forbid life wanted to see a shrink

second thought

maybe that makes me even more troubled

third

she looks up at her mom

we are what you get when you want to raise children a taiwanese with american stripes

we end up wanting new year's red envelopes and christmas trees and tuition and birthday gifts

your father and i...

we never wanted anything out of you other than your happiness

you have expectations and you know it

you and your sister are so hard to parent, do you know that

yeah

being your kid is no piece of cake too