i don't want to go home

i think it was about 1980 when i met

her.

carol green.

we were in a bar

called Flaps downtown DC.

a small bar stuffed with

people singing

and dancing.

smoky and loud.  a dj

at the front

putting on one song after

another.

you couldn't help but dance.

and then the lights would go

up at 1 a.m.

and it would be last

call

for alcohol.

the song, but i don't want

to go home

sung by the Asbury Jukes

would

blast through the speakers.

there's a line in the song

that says

whatever happened to you and

i

that i don't want to go home.

reach up and touch the sky,

which everyone in the joint

would do.

carol green came up

to me. a complete stranger

at the time

and asked me to walk her

to her car.

she had dark hair, dark

eyes. she looked like

she'd been crying.

i said sure, finished my beer

buttoned up my coat

and off we

went to the garage where

her car was parked.

we kissed in the cold

dank underground air.

i got in.

after it was over, i asked her

if i'd ever see her again

and she said doubtful.

i'm moving. my

life has changed.

what's your name, i said.

i don't even know your name.

carol green she said.

drive safely on your way home.

and thanks,

thanks for everything.