Odds run north and south. Evens go east and west, he said. You can look at a map all you want, but if you have that basic knowledge, you can go anywhere, the old man told the kid, as they rode on I-95.

Think of lines, he continued. Going up and down, sideways, too. Stick to that, and you’ll never get lost. The kid popped open a cold one for him. He took a sip  before he handed the beer to his Papa. 

Hey there. Get your own, Granddad told him. Go on. Reach in there and grab one. Keep it down below the windows. Sip it every once in a while. Don’t want anyone to see you. People frown on this.

The kid reached back into the cooler and grabbed a Budweiser. He liked the commercials with the pretty horses in them; playing in the snow. The old man lit a Kool.

We’re heading to Maine, Papa said. Ever been there? The teen shook his head. Beautiful. Absolutely magnificent. He took another drink. When your mom was a little girl, I took her up there. Me and your grandma drove up I-95 just like we’re doing now. Slept in tents back then. Nowadays, it’s too hard on my back. We’ll find a cabin. No one goes up there in the wintertime. It’ll be cheap to rent.

Both of them kept looking out the windows. Pointing at semis as they passed by. Looking at signs along the way, trees, counting blondes in cars. They opened two more.

I’m sorry about your mom and dad. Sorry it’s come to this, he told the kid. All that yelling. Fighting. They never should’ve married to begin with. She should’ve handed you over to me and your grandma when you were born. He turned on the radio. Flipped through the stations. Settled on oldies out of Philadelphia, playing Aretha Franklin.

Some say Dionne Warwick does a better job with this song. But, I don’t think so. What do you think? The boy took another drink of beer.

Well. I’m sorry about your mom and dad. That’s what that shit will do to you. Just messes things up. Tears up lives around you. The grandson kept looking out the window.

Your Grandma’s looking down on us. She’s keeping an eye on you. Don’t ever let her down. He hit the kid’s shoulder. Your mom let her down. She let both of us down. Well, that’s all over now. You’re safe. Safe as can be. The kid grabbed two more beers.