Conversation with a Young Teen

Julia.

Oh, I saw you.

I saw you, like, a couple weeks ago.

Kid, how old are you?

I'm fourteen. I took a screenshot of you. I showed all my friends.

What the is that flag behind you, kid?

What's yours?

What?

What's yours?

Uh, it's the American flag. Who, who gave you that flag?

Me.

You got it?

Yeah, I got it from Spencer's. It was really-

Who took you to Spencer's?

I went to the mall.

Who gave you money? Do you have a job?

No.

No.

So-

My friend-

'Cause you're only fourteen years old, so obviously, your mom and dad

gave you money to buy that flag.

It wasn't my mom and dad. It was my friend.

Uh-huh.

You're lying, and your mom and dad, uh, l- allowed you

to bring that flag and put it up?

Well, yeah, they're not gonna stop me from taking down

a flag.

Uh, then your parents are horrible people. They are abusing you.

They are abusing you, man. Don't you understand?

Um, uh, what?

What?

I meant to ask you that. I like your makeup.

Kid,

do you understand that...

Jesus.

Never mind.

How'd you get your hair like that?

Just listen, man. Um, listen, God, God bless you, man.

I gotta... Hold on.

Hey, boy.

Jesus

Christ.

What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck?

Does someone wanna tell--

I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

Uh,

that poor kid.

I couldn't help him.

I couldn't help him.

Jesus.

God help him.

God help us all.