Went up to the liquor store today, was pouring rain when I got out of the truck.

Walked inside and up to the counter, and the employee greeted me, asked how my day was.

Told her it wasn’t going too well. She asked how so. Told her that my mom got out of prison today. She said, “isn’t that good news though?”

I said yeah, but while she was waiting at the station she got hit by a train, and not one of those new ones either, one them damned old trains.

She said wow, I’m really sorry. Then added, sounds like the only thing left is for you to get drunk darling. I said yeah, that’s why I’m here, and you don’t have to call me darlin, darlin.

She never did call me by my name.