Tok, Alaska

9

Erik woke to shouting. He didn't know what was going on, but he got out of bed and went to the kitchen. Molly, Walt and Walter were standing there looking upset, Walter most of all. It looked like Molly was trying to comfort Walter. They looked up when Erik entered the room.

"What's going on?"

Walter sighed deeply and said, "I'm afraid Sandy and I are no longer a couple."

"She broke up with you?"

"I broke up with her," revealed Walter.

"Oh," said Erik. He felt extremely awkward, so he went outside. Sandy was standing at the bottom of the driveway weeping. A car pulled up and turned around, and she got in and left. Erik didn't really want to go back into the kitchen, so he figured it would be best to lay low. But where to go? He thought of his conversation with Jason and their meeting at 1 o'clock. He had his car key with him in his front pocket, so he decided to head to the Busy Bee early. He got in the car, turned the ignition, and drove down Johnsville Rd. till he reached the bottom of the hill. He headed towards the middle of town and stopped at the diner with the familiar smiling anthropomorphic bee on the sign. He parked and walked in the door. The place was empty save the one same waitress who was minding things. He sat down, and she came over and dropped a menu on the table.

"Do you have the time?" asked Erik.

"It's five past eleven," came the response.

"Okay. I'm meeting a friend here at one. I hope it's all right if I sit here while I wait."

"Not a problem. Can I get you some coffee to start?"

"That would be wonderful. Thanks."

Before long there was a white mug on Erik's table filled with steaming brown liquid. He cupped his hands around it, enjoying the warmth, as it was still a little cool outside. He was feeling reflective. Here he was, in Tok, Alaska, staying with a most unusual family, instead of continuing on to Anchorage as he had planned. He felt like he had reached a sort of destination, even so. After all, he'd had no idea what he'd find in Anchorage. He knew what he'd found here, and that was friends. It was distressing to him that Walter and Sandy had broken up. And it was Walter doing the breaking up! He wondered what had happened. Well, maybe Jason would have a clue. He didn't mind waiting for him. He was very good at waiting. He watched the cars go past the shack that was the Busy Bee, and wondered what their stories were. Every traveler has a story.

Finally, a young man his age, chubby, with very long, dark hair and a full beard, walked in.

"Jason!"

"Erik. I'm very glad you kept this appointment," said Jason.

"Of course."

The waitress sidled over. "Can I get you boys anything?"

Jason ordered a hamburger. Erik ordered an omelet with fries again. It occurred to him that he'd been eating a lot of omelets lately. The waitress took down their orders and left into the kitchen behind the counter.

"What did you make of the poetry reading?" asked Jason when she was gone.

"Well, it was Kendra who wanted to take me. She's a really special person. I liked her poetry a lot. And yours too," he added hurriedly.

Jason nodded. "But you are not a poet yourself."

"Well, no. That's why I read from Demian. Walter had lent it to me."

Jason smiled. "I love Walter Corbino. You know, I've known the Duffys ever since they moved here two years ago. I have to say, they fit in nicely with the other poets. William has embraced them."