at the petrol station

stop to feed the monster. a man walks out in overalls covered in dust and smiles. i'm in no mood for conversation. i'm in no mood. i'm nothing. so i smile back. point out the rabbits hopping across the dry landscape. ask if they make a good stew. laugh heartily. heart beating fast. underneath all of this the need to drive away. away from you. him. her. this. everything. pay. smile. go. foot down. this is all i know.