Places to Go

I am greeted at the door by a line. There's always a line here, forming for one reason or another. A glance at my phone informs me it's 4:10 so I imagine the line's for one of the films showing today.

Popcorn is certainly in the air.

I can almost feel myself being pulled into the orbit round the bar, the promise of a house red tingling my tongue's memory. But I'm not here for that today. I step up to the register and wait for one of the baristas to call on me. They're hard at work, grabbing a soup for one customer, finishing a foamy drink for another. Finally it's my turn.

"Hi, can I get a 12 ounce latte with soy milk aaaaaand a cupcake?"

"That'll be [money]." I am given a receipt to sign and I add two dollars. I'd pay more. Little known fact- this place has THE best lattes. They also have these cupcakes.

Oh. Em. Gee. These cupcakes. I contemplate writing an essay about them as the barista hands me the napkin atop which this delicacy will live for now. Today's cupcake? Vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream frosting and chocolate ganache. I find my seat against the south wall and my barista calls out then sets a cozy cup and saucer in front of me. One bite and I am in heaven.

Another- I'm in a new solar system entirely. Oh wait- let me snap a picture for the essay imma write.

---

It's hot outside. Like, hot hot. Like, stay outside all night without needing a jacket hot.

"Let's go to the fair! The girls have already been there for an hour- we gotta go like, now... pleeeeeeease?"

Shorts? Check. Sandals? Check. Fanny pack? Check. Mentally ready to spend way too much money? Check, check, check.

Fairs are so much more fun than when I was a kid. I'm grown and (kinda) alone (as opposed to one of six and with the 'rents) so I can do, play, eat and attempt as many things as I want.

"Babe, we gotta do bumper cars," I giggle, watching a family ahead of us line up too.

"I'm gonna get behind you and then BAM!" "Mom- he said he's gonna hit me!" "That's the whole point!" "It'll be fun!" "Room for two more!" The family ahead of us looks back.

"I guess that means you two!" We clamber into the cars because is there any other way to get into a bumper car? The cars are still, but everyone is pretending, readying for the battle ahead. My hands are on the wheel. I'm pressing on the 'gas' and 'brake' when suddenly it's happening.

I'm whirling around the track, laughing as my neighbors crash into the front and sides of me. I can see my love occasionally getting a few measured bumps in, whipping the car from side to side 'til it vibrates and changes direction suddenly.

After this we gotta meet up with some friends and play to win one of those stuffed animals and I MUST HAVE FUNNEL CAKE and then we'll play some more games and oh gosh, I really wanna get on the Ferris Wheel and already this night has been the best but also seriously where is the funnel cake-

---

I have to go pee SO BAD. My boots hitting on the pavement as I make my way down the street is the only thing keeping me distracted from the building urgency. Almost there! I hit the corner and a sign points me toward the proper door.

Upon opening it, I'm greeted by warmth and friends. I take off my jacket, a hug ready to warm me further as I- 'hello!' and 'hello!' and 'Oh my gosh, hi!!' We can't wait to see how the night goes, there are so many inspiring poets tonight. And this time that we're in, that we're all sharing and that we have so much to reflect on and discuss. Here, we commune, collect and re-coup. This is a homecoming. A return to center. This is church.

"This is a drink for you, by the way." I take it and sip, and my forgotten urgency returns full force. I gotta go pee! In line, we wait. Everything heavy I carried before I came seems lighter. I'm reminded that I don't carry it alone. Arms around my shoulders, a joke cracked here and there. Can it always be like this? Please?

I make it to the front of the line, then head to the furthest bathroom when it empties. It's that easy- gender- neutral bathrooms are not hard. I'm in. I place my drink, I hang my coat. I look down. Oh no, layers. I loosen belt, I slip the shoulders off. WHY DID U WEAR A ROMPER! The weight in my still full pocket swings to toward the floor. I catch it, pull my phone out of my pocket as I rush to sit and- finally. Relief.

I look at my phone still in my hand. Oops. I spend time staring at it and decide not to delete. Urinals are weird.