Joni Sure Knew Blue

by Farley Walker

You said it was over, that we could still be friends, you would be there for me if I needed a ride home. What you meant was I'm a drunk, which is why you're leaving. And I thought love was strong enough to construct swing sets and plant herb gardens. Your offer is guilty. Because you're scared I'll get in a wreck, hit kids crossing at the light, go through a roadblock and have to blow out the truth. You're scared they'll blame you when I go home with a different man every night for a week, when test results from the clinic come back positive, if I pee and the stick turns blue. Behind "Be careful, your dog might not come home tonight," you hear, "Sorry. I'll pack up my shit and move North." You could be right.

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