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The linoleum is too bright for midnight.

I went in for gum and stayed for the quiet.

The clerk is watching a muted game

on a screen behind the registers.

Outside, the pumps are locked.

A puddle of oil by the air hose

is reflecting the purple neon sign

in a way that looks almost expensive.

I don't want to go back to the house yet.

I'll just stand here by the jerky sticks

pretending I’m looking for something

that isn't just a place to be alone.