when you grow up in a place like this,
you do it without h o p e. everyday you
see your mother turn from a glowing
goddess, to an old and angry shrew,
& everyday, you see your father turn 
from the hero he once was to a
balding mess with gray at his
temples, and a bad back.

everyday, jo’s forced to look at the
face of people living her dream. her
home is a pit-stop on everybody’s
scenic trip, and she’s stuck here,
shackled by her own responsibility.

it’s late, dinner time, her slowest
at the bar. nobody ever eats here, 
they’ve all got higher standards.
she sits, completely alone, her
parents off god knows where.

the clink of the bell above the door
startles her, expecting her father.
instead, her gaze set on a younger
man, tired-looking, and restless.
another traveller. another person
with a way out, a luxury she just
doesn’t share. she can hardly twist
her face into her most polite smile.

❝uh, hey. what can i get you?❞