the gate locks behind us as we scuttleunder snowfall bundled in peacoats and scarves Coffee in our hands, so that they may not hold each other. Gloves that hold no warmth, so we couldn't touch, in case we did. We want to hold hands, but we're too happy with our coffee. playing chicken, who's gonna be mentally stable first driving cars at each other seeing who will turn. but the roads long. we pass open fields of ex-lovers mountainsides of therapists what started as a race, seems ike a leisurely scenic route now. our white knuckles loosening, Our manic tunnel vision, fading as we become narcoleptic nodding off slightly as the cars pull closer. Whenever we take our gloves off, We'll be lucky not to have driven off road collide with another field or mountain. because we couldn't put down our coffee. afraid of falling asleep what if our eyes are closed, and we can't decide to be brave. What if one day we made up in a hospital, in the same bed two broken windshields. Crashing, only when we fall asleep. can we truly call it a conscious decision?