The snow won’t stop. It’s attacking my window with a repeated tap tap tap, letting me know that it’s not gonna stop for quite some time.
My mind is rolling. I can’t do anything. There is nothing to do. No one wants to go out in this.
But is everything closed? Maybe something is open for business, some sort of haven. Probably a bar. But I don’t drink, so that’s not the play.
Also, do I want to drive in this? We were informed that we shouldn’t. But when have I listened to such orders?
Tap tap tap tap.
It’s pretty bad out there. Oh well. I grab my coat and keys and I put on my boots. This is where my mind is at. Where it’s been for quite some time, honestly.
Now I’ve got to wipe the snow off my windshield. Scrape the ice off too. This isn’t worth it, is it? It’s not like I go out much on Friday nights anyway. Why do I feel the need to tonight, on a night when people who regularly go out are staying in?
This is where my mind is at. I know I’ve said that already. I just don’t want you to miss something.
I’m now sitting in my freezing car. It’ll take forever to warm up.
Tap tap tap tap.
This time on my windshield. Earlier I was in a warm room at least. Now I’m cold, shivering. And why do these tiny, beautiful shapes make this daunting collective noise? Normally they don’t. Normally they fall softly, land softly. But not on nights like this, not when they’ve decided to attack.
I’m gonna drive now, car still pretty cold. Might as well. I’ve come this far. This is where my mind… yeah, you know the drill.
The roads are pretty bad. What else did I expect?
Yet I’m not the only one out. Maybe they’re looking for what I’m looking for? But maybe that’s too deep a thought? Honestly, I think I just wanted to get out.
I drive by a few gas stations. They’re open. But that’s not the play. Fast-food restaurants are also open, some even with occupied drive thrus. But that’s also not the play. Those people eventually want to get home. I just left.
I slide through a stoplight. I feel the urge to do it again. Something euphoric about it. And it wasn’t even that serious. Just fun. I don’t know.
Supermarket is open too. Parking lot is pretty empty, though. Yesterday it was full of life, energy, anxiety. Preparation for this, what’s happening right now. Inside, the employees wonder how bad it is out there. “I just want to go home and sleep.” Not me.
So far nothing draws me in. Probably because I’ve hit a streak of establishments that are closed or are about to be closed, specifically sit-in restaurants.
I’ve gone in the opposite directions of the bars, away from the city and into the outer suburbs.
Then it happens.
I almost coast through another red light. But this time I’m not as aware of the fun. Because up ahead on the right I see a familiar sign, a familiar red vibe exuding from that sign.
Applebee’s.
They’re open. And there are people in there. Not a lot of people, but enough. The perfect amount, honestly.
I park in what is likely not a real parking spot. I don’t care. Neither do they. The lines aren’t blurred and nor are they partially covered; they’re non-existent at this point. What a time this is. I love it.
I trudge my way through the snow-covered parking lot to the door. Have you noticed that all Applebee’s buildings look the exact same, right down to the door handle?
Unashamedly, I say “Table for one, please.” The hostess doesn’t judge. Yesterday she would have. And neither do the others judge me, despite me being the only solo party. They understand. Some may even envy.
I order some chips n’ salsa. Remember, this is Applebee’s? I don’t care. None of this has to make sense. That’s why it makes complete sense.
I listen in on conversations. They know I do. They don’t care.
This is where my mind is at. I love where my mind has been. Perhaps I’ve led you astray…
I think to yesterday while at a coffee shop, listening in on a conversation there too. This man was on a date and was telling her about his therapist. It annoyed me. That sounds harsh. Honestly, I wish the man well. But that just didn’t seem like the right play.
There’s no talk of therapy in this Applebee’s.
One guy talks about a blizzard similar to this one during his childhood. How he almost died walking up the wrong side of the sledding hill. The toboggan hit him and, not even kidding, he did three flips in the air before landing flat on his face. It was great.
Perhaps he embellished a bit? I don’t care. And neither does his intended audience.
There are days when everyone is the intended audience. Days like this. Days when those who are typically out are in and those who are typically in are out.
Perhaps that’s too deep?
This is where my mind is at. Where it’s been.
I go to Applebee’s at night during a snowstorm to balance things out, but also to indulge my mind. It’s a perfect paradox.
The snow blows, still tapping against the window, another window under assault. But I don’t hear it anymore.
Someone drives by, digging into his fast-food bag. It looks fun in there, he thinks. Why does it so fun look in there? He’s in his role as part of the intended audience.
Where is his mind at? And where could it go?
Would have been better if you’d gone to B-Dubs. That’s short for Buffalo Wild Wings, by the way.
😂😂