#* ernesto.

         ‘ you find tinsel distracting, billy? ’ ernie picks at one of the branches of his christmas tree, turns the artificial pine between his fingers, and offers a sweet, small smile to express his understanding. he couldn’t, wouldn’t, won’t judge for the abandoned effort. ‘ i can help you make it less— sad, if you want. ’

this is the fourth individual ernie’s had pass in front of the truck stop who has not only spoken french, but has registered on a similarly distorted wavelength. can’t place it, can’t place them, only knows something’s not right. surprise!

         ‘ toto, ’ he says to himself, rocking onto the balls of his feet so that he can clean a window smudge beyond his reach. ‘ i’ve a feeling we’re not in kansas anymore. ’

         ‘ be—fore i chicken out and pretend i didn’t hear that, man. ’ ernie is feeling sillier by the word. how could he have missed these clues? the style, the speak, the cars, the quiet: he’s years from home. ‘ did someone just say ‘that razzes my berries,’ like it’s — like that’s normal? ’