John Gorka “I’m From New Jersey”
Posted on March 3, 2008
Filed Under Old Posts |
“Give me the token,” she said as we pulled up to the toll both. “I can get it in the basket from here.” She beamed with excitement as she rolled down the passenger side window. She took the token from me, undid her seat belt and started climbing out the window.
“What are you doing?” I asked, panicked. The cars behind us had already started beeping their horns.
She sat on the edge of the window and launched the token over the roof of the car towards the basket. It hit the brim and bounced onto the concrete below. The honking behind us became even more impatient. I drove off, a short siren sounded behind us as we pulled out of the booth, calling attention to the unpaid toll.
She slid back into her seat and buckled her seat belt. “Next time I’ll make it,” she laughed and I wondered what it must be like to be her.
She was from the west, where there were mountains and fry sauce and no humidity. She ‘d never seen a pink moon or experienced thunder so loud it made your house shake. She smiled most of the time and never said an unkind word about anyone.
I wonder how much of who you are is determined by where you’re from. I wonder if I would have such a cynical outlook if I weren’t from New Jersey. I always thought I’m From New Jersey
I’m from New Jersey
I don’t expect too much
If the world ended today
I would adjust
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Excellent piece. And I think the answer to: “I wonder how much of who you are is determined by where you’re from” is “an awful lot!”