Do you like cars? He asked.
Hmm…I considered this. Depends on the occasion, I decided. I don’t like them in association with traffic or global warming, but I like them in association with road trips.
He put on the smirk that said he found me funny to have answered a random question with all seriousness. I put on my pout that said “you asked.”
We were quiet for a while. He rested his hands on the steering wheel while we stared at the road rolling over. Tame Welsh farmlands, rugged old trees. Layers and layers of clouds on the far end. He was humming a tune under his breath. I didn’t know if he was aware that he does that sometimes.
Let’s play word association, I said. No names, no locations.
Sure, he said.
Water, I said.
River, he returned. “Houses.”
“Ruins. Farm.”
“Seagulls. Teeth.”
“Eggshells.” I said, and then paused to add, “Why do you associate farm with seagulls?”
I don’t know, he said. Why do you associate teeth with eggshells? He asked in return.
Well, when one eat eggs, the only way to tell if there are shredded eggshells in it is through one’s teeth. I said, then become quiet.
After a while, he sighed and gave in. Are you mad at me? He asked.
“No.” I was brusque. We became quiet again. I turned my head to the side window so I didn’t have to look at him.
He started humming his tune again. I thought to myself, a fishbowl cannot be death because it is never life.
2024/9/5