See anything? he asked. She shook her head. No lights? Lanterns moving in the dark? No fire sparks? again, she just shook her head. Let’s set up camp here tonight, he told her. No fire. Can’t take the chance. Sleep with one eye open, she didn’t say a word. Just got out her bedroll. She slept on top of it. No blankets covering her. The girl wanted to be ready to move.

No stars out that night. Pitch black. The moon didn’t even shine. Let off a hazy glow covered by clouds. The clay they slept on began to turn to mud. Rain drops fell on them at a fast pace. Felt like bullets. There were no trees to hide under. Out in the middle of nowhere.

We might as well walk, he said. can’t sleep. They’ll find us soon enough, he began folding up his bedroll and placing it on his back.

That’s what I’m scared of, she said.

How’s that?

They’ll find us, and that’ll be the end. No more us, she lit a cigarette.

We got a long walk ahead of us, he said.

Do you know where you’re going? Have you got any idea? he shook his head. She laughed. I remember when we first started out. We had wheels. Easier to get around this country. We could move quickly back then. I miss that old truck. I miss the radio. Haven’t heard music in weeks, she said.

Keep it in your head, he told her. Keep the songs in your head.

I hear you humming sometimes.

‘Cause I got the music in my head. Earth, Wind and Fire, Ohio Players, Kool & The Gang. They’re all there, he pointed to his right temple. Right there inside my head. A constant juke box. Sometimes, I hear Bob Seger, the Stones, Billy Preston.

Who?

Never mind, he said to the young girl. I’m too old for you. You can’t relate. Haven’t got to the point yet where the music is inside of you.

I remember you playing that station in the truck. Playing all them old songs. Then you’d switch to talk radio. People calling in from everywhere. Just to hear their own voice. Calling the president an idiot. Saying the whole country is going to Hell, she looked at him as they walked. You think we’re going to Hell?

Who knows? I can only think about us at this time.

Celebration by Kool & The Gang ran through his head. They kept walking.