Could we get gas next time in Emily, New Hampshire,
or Daddy, New York? |
"Are you serious dad?" a town named after a girl? Could we maybe get gas next time in Emily, New Hampshire, or Daddy, New York? Chelsea, Maine? How far are we from Uncle Dave's?" I wanted to take back roads; see things, share country life with Emily. It was normally a clean shot up Interstate 95 from southern New Hampshire to the rural routes of mid Maine. After seven straight north to south trips in the last 27 days, I decided to try something different before we headed back to North Dakota. Just before the State Capital, we pull into the Chelsea Irving station. "Maine Tourist Supplies, Knickknacks, and Moose Dropping Castles." "What is a moose dropping dad?" "Grrr..."the most expensive, "cheap gas" in 200 miles. $49.47 for a tank of the best stuff, as my saved receipt recorded. We were back on Route 202, and headed toward 108 North. "Dad, what was the lady at the counter who made my iced tea's name?" "I didn't notice hun" "Was her name Chelsea?" "I don't know." "You would think her name would be Chelsea." "I think it was Flo." "Flo?" "They are all "Flo" in my world hun." "I hope it was Chelsea. "Chelsea, from Chelsea, Maine." It was a brief stop. Due to my grumpiness, another cold impersonal exchange. Some would remember, but I forget, how others live and die beside a narrow highway. We who travel, love our families, but choose to strike from our memories those who are left beside the roads we travel. |