a very short stay at the hourly room

we were tired.

from the long drive.

it was raining and cold,

the roads

were dangerous so we

pulled over

at a motel on the side

of the road.

the room was cheap,

but it had a vibrating

bed, which my son

wanted to slip coins

into the meter.

i could see outside

the thin sheers

the pulsating red light

of the sign

saying Liver and Onions

all week.

a roadhouse bar.

the place reeked of beer

and smoke.

my foot stepped into

a pair

of underwear on the floor.

i told my son and my

wife,

don't move an inch.

don't touch anything.

we're leaving.

try not to breathe.