outnumbered

i pull

the car over to give the children

a what for.

a light tap

upon each of their heads

with a rolled up

road map.

we'll get there when we

get there.

so please be quiet,

i need to concentrate

on the highway.

but i have to pee,

the boy says.

me too, his brother echoes.

the sister rolls

her eyes, and says i have

to go too,

but i'm hungry

as well.

mom, make dad stop, please.

she looks at me

and smiles.

okay, okay. i'll stop for 

a pit stop and lunch soon,

but

for the next

twenty miles we're going to

play a game.

it's called the quiet game.

whoever breaks

their silence has to get out

and walk.

okay.

are we all in?

take this exit the wife says.

we're stopping now.