Ohio

The trip started out rough.

I picked up a rental car in town. Genius move. 

At the airport, $500 for a week. In town, $199! Sweet!

I pick up the car and as I'm driving off the lot it smells like a stripper. In the bad way. 

Then under the bad putfume it's smoke. 

Fuck

I'm tired and I just want to get to the hotel .

It's not tooooo bad 

So I tell the agent. Then assure me they will knock some off my bill and it won't be a problem 

The first two days it wasn't 

But I've been. Driving this tin can with all the Windows down and it still smells in the bad way when I open the doors

Ohio . You're not making a good impression.

Cleveland tomorrow 

Columbus. You do good things here .

Waffle House

The Waffle House never disappoints.

My rental isn't ready so two eggs, hash browns and coffee waiting for my car.

Sitting, eating, drinking , I'm hearing the stories of the city.

High school drama, friends coming out of the closet, friends that moved out of the city .

It happens every time. Pretty much at every Waffle House. The staff and the patrons. Comfortable. Authentic. 

There is no pretense here and I love it. 

Every time I shed a skin and let myself slouch.