My sister calls me the steady one

My sister calls me the steady one,

the daughter who got the chores all done.

But I remember the CVS aisle

and the way I forced a jagged smile.

The black plastic tube was small and cold,

a piece of the world I had to hold.

It slid down deep in the polyester fold,

making me brave and making me bold.

I still feel the sweat in the center of my hand

when I walk past the things I didn't plan.