I smile a frown
And he tells me all about Poison
"But I miss Poison" I say, almost pleadingly, as if he might give me a drop.
He laughs
"Go home, kid."
And I smile a real smile for the first time in ages
"I don't want to go home.
The city lights aren't lonely here
and while I'm miserable
they might just keep me company"
And he listens (really listens)
and I think I love him for this.
We walk in silence for a bit
stumbling through the dark
sweating through our teeth and down our backs
And it's over
and we have to go.
"Don't give in to Poison," he says.
And I say back in a laugh that sounds more like a cry for help
"I always do."