All our bags are packed and loaded in the car. The dog is boarded and we’re ready to go far. We grab the snacks and yell “Everyone go potty!”
Mom’s just about had it and already needs a toddy.
We fly down the road with the music on full blast. We know this momentum surely won’t last! For we have to drive through Baton Rouge you see, holding up the travelers of Louisiana, both you and me.
As we approach the tall bridge and the break lights twinkle like Christmas morn, I cuss under my breath and feel nothing but scorn. The lull of the motor wakes the kids up, where soon I’ll be threatening, “You’ll have to pee in a cup!”
Eventually we roll down the windows to get to know our neighbors. We may as well, mais yeah, we ain’t no haters! If they only sold Lucky Dogs 
on the side of the interstate, for no one’s going anywhere at this slow rate.
The kids get antsy and start acting the fool. We could have gotten to our destination faster if we were traveling by mule! Thoughts start running through my head, like what if my car should overheat. I watch all the dials, a tow truck I don’t want to greet.
“How much longer?” is the question they inevitably ask. Holy hell, “I have no idea!!” and wish I had a flask. Cars start to roll and we all get excited! I give a fist bump to my left, feeling united!
We go a few miles picking up speed, “This is it! Please keep us moving!” I yell and I plead. Then we start to slow again and I know what’s going down. Our spirits bottom out and we all can’t help but frown.
I-10 through Baton Rouge, you are our byway to fun, yet we sit in your parking lot with time to think something needs to be done. It happens every time, we can count on it for sure, a lesson in patience we all must endure.
