300 and a Prius

 Prompt: You have $300 and a Prius, describe the 2,800-mile road trip from NYC to LA.

 My plan was to fuel my trip across the country, but I soon realized that approach wasn't going to work well. I get to the gas station only to find that gas has sky rocketed. The only way for me to get across the country was obviously to sell my cute green Prius and purchase a plane ticket. So, that's what I set out to do. I filled her tank and blasted all of our favorite songs while I drove her to the nearest dealership. 

She had no idea I was about to pimp her out for a cheaper ride. Poor thing. We went through a number of classics and traveled down memory lane...a little Maybach Music, reminiscent of the time I ran out of gas in Florida and had to convince a homeless man I was Beyonce so he would push my car up the street.

Next on the playlist, some Maxwell for that time I got dumped in a booth at McDonalds on Big Mac Day...buy one get one for a penny. And I paid. I cried my deepest cry in that Prius... until he finished his Big Mac and walked back out to the car...I was also his ride. Bum. 

We got around to some Mariah and some Arianna Grande...a little seat at Solange's table... Yaaasss! Those were my glow-up years, full of self-love, yoga, and green tea. Incense burning on my dash, ashes burning through the velveteen on the seats. Not sure which burns are from the incense, and which are from the herbs, but we let it burn like Usher for many-a-rides together. When I tell you I was my BEST self...Not sure how I fell off, but I know every time I look to get back up there, it seems further and further away. 

My nose begins to burn, and my eyes are quick to follow. My chin quivers rapidly and a slow sailing salty drop of reflection glides along the shape of my laugh lines, down to my lips. I have a beautiful life with lots of beautiful moments. I had a Prius and 300 bucks. What's in LA? I know for sure that NYC aint for me. I've milked this city for all the honey it had for me. Not much but this Prius has seen a lot. I had a friend and a Prius...

Exit 47 is where we're going. I pass the off ramp with regret and fear. We proceed to hit the road for NYC, music blaring, headlights bright and ready for new memories to be made.

-Deena