A THING by JORDYN DAMATO

Millie and Me

1. My car has began driving herself

2. Not without the key, of course

3. I start the engine

4. Rev her a couple times for good measure

5. Spend some time picking out my ideal driving song

6. Today it’s “Cruel and Beautiful World” by Grouplove

7. The bass bumps in my Saturn

8. People judge me for driving a Saturn

9. They’re just jealous of my bass, if not because of her shiny lime green coat

10. I'm a bit of an attention grabber

11. If you couldn’t already tell

12. My dad hates my car, hates the color and hates the bass

13. I hate my dad

14. My mom is alright, though

15. I like to hangout in my car more than anywhere else

16. How rude of me, I forgot to introduce you to my car

17. Her name is Millie

18. She is 11 years old

19. Only 3 years old to me, though

20. Her gas gauge doesn’t work

21. We’re all at least a little broken, right?

22. I have to keep track of my miles so I know when I’m running low

23. I run out of gas often

24. My dad always keeps a gas can in the trunk of his Audi for reasons like this

25. I hate my dad

26. He offers to buy me a new car every other week

27. I don't need it

28. Millie is perfect; she’s my best friend

29. He says, “how about having a best friend you can actually count on?”

30. Never had one of those

31. Not interested

32. Not necessary

33. Not happy

34. Only with Millie

35. She can’t drive herself, though

36. I lied

37. I do that a lot

38. Don't blame me

39. Blame yourself

40. I already told you I was an attention grabber

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Jordyn Damato is a 20-year-old accelerated masters English student at Central Michigan University. Her work has appeared in Central Review literary magazine. She enjoys deviating from fictional norms and is a professional air guitarist.