One week away.

Exactly seven days till touchdown in ATL—
    and yes, I'm counting.

Working from Oscar’s again— (because of course I am)
    The Bloody’s perfect,
    the Wi-Fi stable,

    the playlist questionable—

Left my good headphones in Mexico. (because of course I did)
    Had to snag a new pair,
    with a mic crisp enough to catch my grin—

    in today's episode of "Good Morning, Mari"

(If she didn’t get her good-morning voice memo—
    it just wouldn't be Tuesday)

Breakfast at Waffle House with Ava—
    Texas' pecan waffles,
    hashbrowns scattered,
               smothered,
                 covered, (with jokes)

    and laughter poured like syrup over everything.

Spring’s got Ruby purring again in the Texas Sun.

Windows down, music up,
    driving around Fort Worth
    like I didn't realize how much I'd missed her…

    until just now.

Today is sunny,
          easy,
almost perfect.

Almost.

The weather’s good,
    the day’s just right—
    but every now and then,

    I catch myself glancing east—
    feeling _that pull_. (a week too early)

Because one week from now—
    I'll trade Oscar’s for Irby’s,
    hashbrowns for whatever’s on her plate,

    and voice notes for whispers that don’t need headphones.

But today?

It's headphones,
     hashbrowns,
     and hoping the next seven days

     fly faster than Ruby through April sunshine.