Little Birds

My best friend Lily thought she was drowning.

Drowning in the salton sea.

Even though the water was too polluted to step foot in

and left everything in our town either dying or dead.

Lily?

Are you okay?

Hello?

Lily was determined to never let it get her.

I'll see you later, okay?

Hey, aunt Bonnie! Good morning.

You're like a fucking tornado, kid. You know that?

There's my poor little cousin. You're late.

Did you get my cigs? Yeah.

These come open now?

Hey, handsome. Shh. Shh.

You trying to burp him or break his neck?

God, I really can't do anything right today.

Well, I don't want him ending up with shaken kid syndrome.

I might be doing him a favor.

What does that mean?

Huh?

You want this? Hmm?

Yeah, yum.

Look at the cartoons. What's happening?

Look, he's thinking about a bird.

He's flying like a bird. Can you do that?

Lily. What?

Get off your ass and grab your Uncle's epsom salts.

I got to go help out your mama, little one.

Lily!

You wanna hand me the salt?

Sorry.

Hogan says the fish don't die from pollution,

because when the algae blooms, it sucks up all the oxygen.

And then the fish suffocate.

That's boring.

I don't think so.

You're such a baby.

I'm two months older than you.

The train's coming.

Come on.

What are you doing?

Is baby scared?

Do you want mommy to sing you your song?

Cut it out.

Stop it!

Come here. No.

Lily, is that you?

Yeah.

Oh, hey, Ali, how are you? Good.

It's Alison, mom. We're not, like, five years old anymore.

I didn't realize you guys were so grown up now. She's staying for dinner too.

Oh, actually, I was gonna go cook my dad dinner.

Oh, how is your dad? Oh, he's good.

He found some copper wire... have you seen my black pumps?

Are they up your ass?

No, Lily, I don't believe they are up my ass.

You're such a spazz. You interrupted Alison.

I'm sorry, Ali.

That's fine. It's Alison, mom.

Alison. Your dad found some wires?

I was just trying to say he's good. Same as always.

That's good. Well, tell him I say hi. Yeah.

Was that so hard?

Since when did you become miss manners?

For once someone's gotta be civilized in this house.

Why don't you help me find my shoes?

So I'm going to go meet some friends at the bar.

And don't forget, we have your appointment tomorrow. Fuck.

And we can't cancel because I lose money

every time we don't cancel 24 hours in advance.

It's such a waste of time, mom.

Don't say that.

You need to talk to someone, kiddo. You need to.

And you're surely not talking to me.

I talk to you every day.

I just want to understand why you did it.

Did what, mother? You know what.

I'm sorry, mother, but I surely don't.

Why did you cut your ieg?

I was shaving.

I guess I'm just not that good at it yet.

Okay, your appointment is tomorrow at 10.

I got you somethin'.

Yeah?

It's in your room.

Thanks.

Hey! Does this look okay? I have to get ready.

Can you give me some space to fucking pee by myself, please?

You know, stop saying the word "fuck" so much. You sound...

well, then will you give me some privacy, mom?

I'm just asking, does this look cute?

I don't know. I don't know. Does this dress look cute?

You look old!

You should take down your hair.

You seem bored.

I don't understand why I'm being punished.

What makes you think you're being punished?

I'm here, aren't I?

Well, what would you rather be doing

instead of sitting here with me?

I don't know. Shooting myself in the face?

Dousing myself with gasoline and lighting a match.

It's funny how you often mention hurting yourself.

Thanks. I thought I was funny, too.

No, I guess I meant ironic.

But with your father and all, it's interesting.

Your mom's interesting too.

I'm curious about the structure she provides.

Have you seen any drug use?

Does she have a boyfriend?

I'm trying to help, Lily.

Why do you think you cut your legs?

Why don't you just cut it off?

Cut what out? Cut it off.

Off? Yeah, the hair on your face.

Are you talking about my mole?

That fucking gross thing on your chin.

We're here to talk about you, Lily.

How am I supposed to talk when I feel like I'm gonna barf?

How'd it go? Yeah, it was great. I think it's really starting to help.

Do ever feel like you're going to die?

Like in a car crash?

Yeah.

Like...

I don't know.

Like the seaweed Hogan was talking about.

Algae.

I feel like something's stealing all my air.

That's messed up.

Hey! Cut the shit! It ain't yours.

So, it ain't yours neither, and I hope it bites your face off.

I hope he bites your tits off.

Stupid fucker!

You touch that dog again and I'll burn down

your fucking welfare ass trailer.

They took the baby for the day.

They took mark for the day.

Probably going to parade him around the neighborhood.

Our son, the war hero.

He is a war hero.

Great.

Give me his medal in one hand and shit in the other.

See what I got. Fuck.

That whole table there is 40 percent off for just today.

Thanks.

Till death do you part, right?

Mark died the day some sand nigger buried an I.E.D. in a garbage can.

What they sent home...

I don't know what that is, but it's not my husband.

Did you get lipstick all over me?

Look, it's the bobbsey twins.

Aw, they're like a little cartoon duo.

Lily and Ali and the case of the haunted mansion.

She doesn't want to be called Ali anymore.

What does she wanna be called?

Alison.

Oh, excuse me.

Lily and Alison in the case of the haunted mansion.

Jesus Christ. Come sit next to your old mom.

I've got a mystery for you.

Who's shit-faced at two o'clock in the afternoon?

Guilty as charged, Scooby Doo. That's right. Yeah!

You look cute. Maybe you should do something with this hair, though.

Like put a deep conditioner on it or something.

Wow. You know what? You should do something with your face, okay?

That's not nice. Can we dress up?

No, I have to sell this stuff. Why?

You can use the things over there.

No, I wanna use this stuff.

Don't use the feather thing.

Why? It's the best one.

Can I wear the skirt at least? Yeah.

At least that one picked something normal.

Look, I want to look like a fuzzy alien.

At your service, my fearless queen.

Lily! Lily!

My fearless queen, don't you dare!

I'm going to push you in the water.

Yes! Yes!

No! No! No! I'm melting.

Oh no! Don't die.

It's too late.

Here. Don't you ever forget me.

Then, I'll put one on.

What's that sound?

I don't know.

Let's investigate.

My queen, you are alive! Shh!

You look stupid.

You guys want some beers?

Sure.

Climb over then.

Lily.

What, are you, like a raver or something?

What's that?

Somebody who dresses all crazy.

No, it was just this stupid thing.

I like your boots. Yeah?

Yeah, I think they're cool. Thanks.