Built-in Protection
Shareen K. Murayama · The McNeese review. · 2022
Shar een K. Murayama Built-in Protection They say the Instant Pot® is the modernization of the microwave sans radioactive waves. Where four pounds of flank steak, tomatoes, onions, seasoning, and water transform into a hefty beef stew in just over an hour. A convenient time-saver. Our next door neighbor, Nelly, was married to her anger more so than her husband. They had money, new cars, a swimming pool. One summer, the husband sent her and three kids on a trip to Europe. He sent himself a lover to stay overnight for weeks, thinking no one in the neighborhood would notice a new Honda Civic he bought for her, white with red racing trim. We all knew the moment when Nelly found out. We all heard the demeaning disgust at our then weekly block dinners. More and more of us found a reason to skip the nights sponsored by the couple, the sad drinking, the loud blaming. The music just wasn't loud enough. After much advice, Nelly packed up her three kids, ready to leave. But she couldn't. She stopped just short of the rear tires crossing the end of the driveway. There were less parties, less visits, until the husband died. The most frequently asked question of interested consumers, Can an Instant Pot® explode? So many modernized gadgets have safety features built in, like lid locks and high temperature warnings, like kids who cry silently at night, who encourage their parents getting a divorce, who wonder why marriage and kids are a milestone, a constant measure, the best recipe. Murayama 12 Shar een K. Murayama The Unlucky Wife Once a long time ago, a young or old woman loved to escape. From breath of a household to fence of a husband but never from the weight of her children in lap. Once a long feeling ago, a young or old woman, was admired or laughed at, but never by her children. She was kissed goodbye, both her fault and her feather removed. She was kissed because he thought she would like it. But always, she dreamed of kissing the tips of her children's noses goodnight. On good nights, her husband ignored her legends beneath the sheets. On other good nights, he traveled far and long for work. Once a long tongue ago, she worked at a factory, her hands boiled like octopus, her hands not comforting more infants after birth. Then snuff and surrender. She attempted to work harder at delivering more babies, to stand in the same ruin as her husband in the evenings' prattle and sores. She promised to follow him, until she didn't. 13 The McNeese Review Shar een K. Murayama Even if I'm not the Golden Child ~For Asian identifiers who are often described as being "so nice" 1. I've almost completed my atude of "auntie" Marilyn Chin who exudes badass -fierce energy. She says, ALL you bitches is my son! SQUEE! I jaw drop wonder if I was even–ever born under a sign with too much water with hands above my head upright, like citizens or animals with questions. 2. Let me raise my winged my broken waiting for self-permission. 3. I'm supposed to be __________ , but I'm only gracious—polite—a dinner plate before being plated. I channel ancestors pitched on a mountain, arms robed forward, like Charlton Heston as Moses. I channel Charlton Heston as Moses not at all disconcerted about his Asian niece. He tries on some Japanese conversation—like tying knots on leather sandals—I don't speak Japanese. 4. I channel ancestral animals and guides. I've never been good at church so I meditate the Geico Gecko. I confess I don't know how not to be nice. The Geico Gecko palm faces himself with somewhat appendages. 5. I'm still having problems with my Purchase Order screen. It still doesn't show my past orders. My daughter says to just stop, that Facebook posts are not Customer Service. 6. The Latin root for vulture is "vultur" meaning "to pluck or tear." The entry beneath lists vulva, from Latin vulva, meaning "to turn or twist." Murayama 14...