Summary of an east coast tour: North Carolina - Wrong turn. Dead horse, upside down. Assisted living facility. Memento clad walls. Smiles for what used to be. White hair cafeteria pile up. Country Gram's bones poke through white sheets. She moans "I can't. I can't". Her grandson feeds her ground turkey and mashed potatoes. Screams "I love you" in her ear. Barbeque frenzy. Black cowboy hat frightens baby. Tears roll onto stained hotel carpet. Father-in-law wheezes. Brother-in-law blinks. Sister-in-law sighs. Mother-in-law takes an expired Vitamin Water from the fridge. I am obliged to take a sip.
New Jersey - No one walks except the deer. Freddy Fingers plays a lullaby. Waitress removes half-dead cockroach from the floor. One endless round of skiball. Funhouse mirrors. Thrift store dust. Atlantic chill. Grandpa shuffles into the garage for another cigar. Grandma squeezes baby tight while watching Etta James on You Tube. Bad pizza. Mom's strawberry rhubarb pie with whipped cream. A cacophony of televisions. Picture from the 40's posted to facebook. More smiles for what used to be.
New York City - Midtown through the eyes of a baby. Stroller wrestling. Wobbly wheel. Swiss duck. Subway stories. Friends forever. Godmother Carol. Aunt Vanessa. Empire State fog. Knock-off bag. Egg and cheese on a roll. Gallery gaze. French tourists and their mothers. Mud pie made with hairy arms. Too much to do.