the cost of things

it was three point four miles
to the liquor store.
he told you that while
sipping on a can of red
white and blue beer.
I can be at the senior home
in fifteen minutes
where they keep your mother.
there's hardly any traffic
if I leave at ten
and get home by noon.
you nod, you acknowledge
his calculations and say,
that's good.
a mouse runs across the room
in front of the television,
then another,
then three more.
you stand up and point
them out as they scurry
behind the couch.
I know, I know he says.
I caught seven yesterday,
thirteen last week.
I don't want to put any
poison down, because of
the dog. do you know what
milk costs these days,
he asks, shaking his head,
his eyebrows covering
his eyes.