Worth it.

Rain's peppering the windshield. Lightly, though; it's that weird in-between amount where having the wipers on ends with screeching but keeping them off leads to blurry vision. I'm driving home and I can't help but think it's dark just way too early. I'm such a hypocrite... wishing for winter, craving colder weather, dreaming of darker and cozier days. Welp, here they are. Granted, it's been pretty warm so we're not technically out of the pan and into the fire, as they say. We're still in the pre-season lead up to the much anticipated graycation ahead.

"What's that? You cut out for a second."

My friend's on the phone. We were supposed to meet up, but it ended up not working out today so we're doing it later in the week. Still, chatting's nice. He was telling me about the latest goings-on with him and his wife, and I was filling him in on all that's been shifting and sliding into place with me. Well, and all the shit that slid out of place, too. But service is spotty here, so apparently that part cut out.

The windshield wipers swish and splash and I watch as my exit comes into view before slipping along the windows and out of sight. Taking that exit would've definitely meant losing service. Which is exactly why I'd planned on telling my friend I had to go.

And yet, I didn't.

Peering through the speckled windshield, with its water droplets and refracting headlights, I scrunch down a little further into my seat. I keep talking to my friend. My shoulders ease their way back down, letting go of my neck, and I drive on into the much-too-early darkness.

It's as good a night as any to take the long way.

* * *

Don't you think?

onward.

For more on this daily column, read the backstory here. And if you know someone who'd appreciate this, pass it along.