Where did you go this time? Kenny asked. I’m curious. Where did you land?

Up and down 95, Lynn responded, winding the telephone cord around his right hand.

Just drove up and down I-95? Kenny crushed a cigarette in a coffee can. From where to where? He asked.

Maine down to Virginia. Stopped in cities and towns along the way, Lynn said. I was up in Portland one day and down in D.C. the next. Drove throughout the night. Drove all the time, he told him. Spending money till I had none.

Is it all gone? Kenny lit up another Viceroy. All of it?

All of it. I’m here in Montpelier with nothing. Gas tank is on E, Lynn said.

Montpelier?

That’s Vermont, Lynn wrapped the phone cord a little tighter.

That ain’t on 95. You’re way off course, Kenny laughed.

I veered left in New England the third time. Decided to see something different than Philly or Baltimore. New York. Just got tired of driving all the time. Every day. Taking off aimlessly. Going nowhere but winding up somewhere. It became nerve-racking, Lynn said.

How’d you come up with Montpelier, Vermont? Did you buy a map? Kenny asked his friend.

Nope. Just landed here, he said. After going through five grand and all those women, I just landed here. Lynn let go of the black cord.

Did you meet some nice women? Kenny poured himself a cup of coffee and stared out his window at the stars. Noticed mosquitoes dancing around his porchlight. Were they good-looking? Kenny laughed.

Meet some real nice women, Lynn laughed as well. They’re all nice when you’re spending money. There was silence. I did meet this one waitress. Real nice. Real pretty. She could only make love with Dr. John playing in the background. Or, Barry White. 

Where was this? Kenny’s interest was peaked.

In Philly. Met her in a bar, and we talked all night. Talked till the sun came up. She was something Lynn told him. Had blonde curly hair and brown eyes. Little meat on her. Nothing small about her. When she laughed, she really laughed. Real nice lady. Had two sons. Her husband blew his brains out. Left them behind. Sad, really. I think her name was Tracy. Can’t remember.

That was in Philly?

Yeah. Lynn answered.

Why did you leave? Kenny kept looking outside. A dog barked. A pickup started up.

Just did. Left in the middle of the night. Took off. Next day I was in Maine. Then Vermont.

Sanctuary. Kenny laughed

Yeah. Sanctuary. Say Kenny. Can you send me a couple of hundred? Just wire it to me. I’ll pay you back.