the planetarium opens. just for tonight. a light show on the ceiling. my head is craned all the way back, and my back is arched the entire time, for a minute i forget what i’m doing. i forget the medication refill and the serious talking. the bright yellow dorm walls and my mom’s swollen eye. because here is the light. and it’s coming right towards me, beaming, bluffing, truly careening. and i need to welcome it with both arms.