at the Shooting Star

So, once again I'm at the Shooting Star Café in Albuquerque, NM. Once again, the sky is a featureless gray. Once again, I'm just a wee bit exhausted. The only difference from yesterday is that today I'm here shortly after the local high school, Eldorado, has released its classes. I'm now surrounded by a great many teenagers who chatter and flirt, and regard me with an expression that says clearer than words that they suspect me of being an escapee from the nursing home at which I just spent several hours.

Not that I blame them. If I look a thing like I feel right now, the wonder is that someone hasn't tried to bury me.