The car is silent, other than the very turned down music.
I watch the car's blinker behind me, turning right ,
at the gas station? am i and the car behind me blocking them?
"I am sorry." My passenger says, breaking my concentration.
"for?"
"my brother. Im sorry. im sorry hes so stupid. sometimes i wish he were smarter. hes going to be like Thomas, my brother, and hurt everyone they talk to. I jsut want to slap him."
I nod, his words lingering in the air for a moment and eventually falling.
I had his face stuck in my head, the last time we REALLY spoke, and it was not pleasant.
His smile i use to see and now,him, detached from his friends, watching, NO , staring.
as my car moves away from the lot.
i don't dare look back at him
i pretend to fall back into my place as the new, collected, and cool person i have become.
i gathered my dyed red hair and moved to my left shoulder,
not daring to look in his direction..
Now driving into the neighborhood,
my passenger says
"Im sorry he messed up your relationship."
I am shot with memories.
"i'm sorry, too."
and there was nothing else to say as i park,
we gather our things,
and though he is just across the street,
live our very different lives.