The Long Way Home

The obsidian pool of water mirroring the frosty night sky, reflecting more stars than could possibly exist.

Why did you get out of the car?

Animals collect at its edges to drink and every year at about this time, the murky depths grudgingly spew up a collection of expired four and two legged creatures.

It was only a silly proposition.

But there's no need to panic, just follow the North Star like the mariners of old and you'll be fine.

She didn't mean to shock you.

Polaris. It's the bright one, just like your geography teacher told you. But, then you can't always believe or trust your teachers.

You left your coat on the back seat.

North. Can't be that difficult. It's down from the Big Dipper or was it the Big Bopper? and how can you measure the dimensions of a dipper anyway?

Was a kiss such a big deal?

Don't you need one of those sextant things on a tripod? Like they have on the battleships on the black and white war films you watched with your dad. Or is it a theodolite?

Those shoes won't cope with this kind of terrain.

Sometimes, infrequently, the authorities manage to make an identification and roll up on a Sunday afternoon. Standing in the sitting room with their caps held in front of them shielding their genitals, to inform a heartbroken family. It all depends on eating plenty of apples and keeping your dental appointments.

Why didn't you wait beside the road?

Sometimes the families aren't heartbroken in the slightest.