the grin that lied

Today I walked mum to the bookshop. She came up for the fringe. I wanted a nice day.

Then a voice behind me. "Ollie Brennan, Frog and Bucket, 2014." Marcus Pryce. The man who put me on a real stage when I was nineteen. He has a new act now. He is up here too.

He clapped my shoulder. Right in front of mum. He said, "Your boy's the real thing, love."

Mum smiled. She looked so proud.

And my face did the thing. The twitch. People read it as a grin. Only me and my chest know it is not.

I called him an old mate. I moved mum toward crime books. I did not tell her who he really was.

Why can't I take a kind word? It lands on me and my whole body wants to run.

Maybe I am scared he is wrong about me.