[i]
Waking up at 9:20 a.m.
Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Irish Breakfast Tea.
I hit the road driving to go see my dad in Goldsboro, North Carolina. I take 13 to 11 to 13 through Ahoskie, where I remember my mom taking me to meet my dad halfway for summer vacations as a kid. Putting on some podcasts and listening to old original Tokyo recordings – getting inspired by my own music.
Arriving on Joscara Drive in Wayne County – I always thought it was funny cause my dad’s name is Wayne. After eating a PB&J he recruits me to help him clean the gutters out on the house. Putting on work gloves, grabbing the ladder, and pulling the leaves/soot out. This is the kind of good quality father son time we like to have.
Sitting in some rocking chairs on the driveway watching the sun about to set in the distance – a beautiful display of cirrus clouds amuses us. I confide in him, talking about my thoughts on having kids one day and how the expectations have changed in this day and age.
After popping in to say hi to his neighbors we drive into downtown Goldsboro, the historic side where he says they’ve been putting a lot of money into. A lone piano sits along the sidewalk with an invitation for anyone to play. On the front is painted: “...Play Like Nobody’s Watching...” I tinker on the ivories and the blues chords echo along the main street.
...
Hardly any place seems to be open except for a Mexican restaurant and a sushi/burger place called Jay’s. We settle on Jay’s. Sitting at the sushi bar ordering Tempura Shrimp, Red Snapper, and Burgers (vegan for me). My dad’s never really had raw fish before or at least he acts like he hasn’t cause he keeps asking the sushi chef dude if that’s raw fish. He asks the Asian looking guy, “Are you Japanese?”
I answer for them both, “He’s American!”
Dude nods his head in relieved agreement. But it’s all in good fun. My dad just likes to socialize and have a good time.
...
I drive us down the street with dad’s directional guidance to see a neighborhood known for decorating their lawns for Christmas.
Back at his house. Lounging in the living room with the TV playing football games and John Wick. Eating some Sweet Potato Pie and sipping on Oolong Tea. We get into conversation about how much music has changed.
“I was in about 10th grade in high school when they came out – that was when they had the long hair...” he explains when The Beatles were popular.
...
He describes his early childhood memories on the farm. In the cold winter months they didn’t have heaters or anything – so when you went to bed you wrapped up in a heavy quilt, got in a comfortable position and then slept. And if you had to go to the bathroom there was a “slop bucket” underneath the bed to quickly relieve yourself. Otherwise, you had to brave the harsh cold air to the outhouse.
“We had fresh cow’s milk, fresh eggs. For lunch we’d catch a young rooster. My daddy and I would catch it, he’d shoot it with a 22. Mama always had food out. She’d make a meal out of nothing.”
Sleep 2 a.m.
[i] Images by me.
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