Twelve Bridges

One is for not looking down because you’re petrified you’re going to fall through to the river below.

Two is for crossing back over and peeking out the window because you just can’t help but wonder at how far up you are.

Three is for kicking the back of the passenger seat as if that’ll make the car go faster because it’s not moving and OMSI is waiting.

Four is for smacking your brother on the head with a plastic dinosaur fossil and trying to throw him out the window so he can swim with the mosasaurs.

Five is for groaning about the family vacation you’re being forced to go on and your brother has already started asking, “Are we there yet?” No, shut up!

Six is for waking up just as the bright city lights and neon signs start to break through the fog.

Seven is for going to championships with your team and the bus is crazy.

Eight is for adrenaline crashes and knowing that even though the season is over they’ll always be like family.

Nine is for your first time driving in downtown traffic.

Ten is for having your dad drive back because you swear you’re never doing that again.

Eleven is for catching an early flight because a summer away from here is all you’ve ever dreamed of.

Twelve is for offering to take the wheel because the time change still has you wide awake at 1 a.m. and so does the exhilaration that there’s nothing between you and home.