used to go on these drives ‘cross country…from Ohio to Colorado…turn ’round and head back east takin’ the southern route through Kansas…Missouri…into Effingham…back to Cuyahoga County…smokin’ cigarettes the whole time…tossin’ butts out the window…watchin’ lit tips flip on the asphalt in the dark night…smells of freshly tilled land and diesel exhaust as I drove in a manic state…

didn’t want the journey to end…had the radio tuned to talk radio shows…idiots from all over callin’ in complainin’ ’bout damn liberals…or talkin’ smack ’bout Republicans…I always figured they was all the same…

and I’d pull into the driveway…porchligt would always be on…unlock the front door and see you there…watchin’ a soundless t.v. …just pictures on a screen…Spencer Tracy movin’ his mouth…talkin’ to Katherin Hepburn…a silent conversation…but you could tell they were in love…you never asked where I’d been…just kept watchin’ the movie…pointed to the refrigerator…took your cue…

there’d be all kinds of leftovers from throughout the week waitin’ in there…roast beef…chicken fried steak…some kinda casserole…’nough food for an army…knew I liked second helping’s…

we continued sitting in silence…not a word said…just sittin’ there like two strangers…a house shared by two strangers…wouldn’t be too long ‘fore I’d head off ‘gain…wonderin’ each time if you’d be there when I opened the door…

guess you never know…