disability’s power [Sarah Lee] their condescending tone is the root of the problem. they don’t understand. they don’t get eye fatigue from reading tedium, grow cold as they wait hours for their bus ride home, scatter possessions trying to find bus tickets. they can work a fast food joint for $9.30/hour, handle chick-fil-a pandemonium without familiar panic surfacing, without worrying they’ll do it wrong: can’t find the carrots can’t keep up, not fast enough can’t remember—two ounces or three can’t read the reminder can’t locate rebekah to ask can’t trust the managers anyway register buttons blur, seek respite in the quiet breakroom. only dare to take two minutes, lest they discover —“you aren’t getting paid just to stand there”— —“you really need to work on your speed”— can’t discern the exit can’t hit escape can’t quell the anxiety; too expensive to keep, not worth staying. can’t argue. energy sapped. panic persists. 13 PLAINS paradox