her Gideon Bibles

she opened up

the trunk of her car once

to get

the spare tire out and jack.

there were

stacks of Bibles

in there,

randomly tossed about.

what's up

with all the Bibles,

i asked her.

she winced, and shrugged.

come on help

me with this flat.

they are all Gideon Bibles,

i said to her,

picking one up,

shaking the dust off.

you steal them

out of motels, don't you?

you take them from

the dresser drawers.

yes, or no?

i'm not helping you with

this tire

until you come clean.

she looked at me

and nervously laughed.

yes. yes.

i steal them.

i need help, okay. i'm mental.

now help me

with this flat.