I enter the state knowing
a van was taken from her once
disappeared for a good while
and just recently returned -
difficult consequence for uncertain folk.
Notwithstanding or because
we fight in her kitchen
and soon I run
chased by her
through building after structure
hall beyond broken door
to a driveway and her current van
keys left trustfully still
in small town ignition.
A few yards forward
I nimbly jump the driver’s seat
back down behind her livid grasp
accelerating yay
with ideas to go fugitive a while
max the disruption.
In a neighboring town
for the moment far enough
I stop at a place where upstairs
I am lightly known
sit for awhile strumming tired guitar
til defiance ebbs where remorse seeps
and I turn back
intent now to minimize the disruption to her.
Pausing along the way
I encounter my old bud Tommy Cruise with his current girlfriend.
We chat amiably
about high schools in West Philly
and playgrounds I have never played.
I continue up the parkway “home”
musing opportunity costs til I wake
ununited and assured.