Waking In The Van

Since I started sleeping in a van, I have developed a deep hatred for flies. Every morning I wake to flies-- hundreds of flies. I swing at them with a nearby towel, but these flies are masterful in flight. They easily maneuver around the towel with a skill that seems to be understood by them and flaunted.  Cocky flies.

I abandon the van, and spray a full bottle of aerosol cologne through a cracked window. I then light a bundle of incense, and place them inside the van. I wait for the air to thicken, and then open a single door. A cloud of musk, smoke and flies billows out past me. I reach in, grab my bucket, and head to the bathroom to fill it with water for my shower. It’s another day on the road, we’re in Phoenix tonight, and I’m as rested as I’ll ever be under these circumstances. Good morning.