Is anyone sitting here? He asked. I shook my head, no, and went back to reading my book. Whatcha got there. I turned the book so he could read the cover. The Dharma Bums, he said. By Jack Kerouac, he went on. Never heard of it.

The Greyhound rolled out of the St. Louis station around two in the morning. Pitch black when we got out on Interstate 44. We’d be in Joplin in no time, then Oklahoma and Texas heading into New Mexico and Arizona. In a couple of days, I’d be in Los Angeles; roaming the streets with fifty bucks in my pocket.

What’s that book about? He asked quietly.

Looking for truth, I said. Truth in yourself. A spiritual journey.

Philosophical, he said.

Yeah.

He closed his eyes and began to snore. I marked the chapter and looked out the window. Nothing but darkness.

Joplin had passed, and I was back to reading as sunlight came over America.

Good morning,  he said. I nodded my head. How long did I sleep?

I didn’t time you, I said.

Oh….I never asked. Where are you heading?

Los Angeles. I told him.

In search of truth? You won’t find it there, he laughed. Just dog eat dog. No moral compass. All is permitted.

I laughed. Perfect. I’ll fit right in, I said.

I’m going to Phoenix. He took out a flask. Want a sip?

No thanks.

This is my truth, he told me. I’ve got kids there. Haven’t seen them in years. Not since they were small. They tracked me down, he smiled.

I see.

You see nothing, he said. You see nothing.

I went back to reading. He looked out the window at Amarillo. They say this town has the biggest steak in the world. If you finish it and all the fixings, your meal is free. Ain’t that something? A free meal for the price of misery. He laughed.

We rolled through the red clay of New Mexico and got to Albuquerque late at night. Mexicans and Indians roamed around the bus terminal. I stepped out for a quick smoke. The air was thin. It smelled  like the West. Stars in the sky.

By the time we got to Phoenix, I was done with Dharma Bums. The truth awaits, I thought. 

This is it, boy, he said. Good luck with finding peace. He reached for my hand. We shook. A twenty had been exchanged. Take care.