Drive

Ed finished installing the flip down thingie; it was the last part of the tinkering before heading out. He felt a tiny bit melancholy, as working towards a purpose sometimes felt more satisfying than arrival. "Shake it off, buddy," Ed whispered to himself. "You got miles to count and lots of hours to sit and stew." He was leathered up, gloves on, looking the part (for whatever show this was) and ready ... if you're ever ready for the finale. He hit the button and turned the bumper camera on at the same time; he saw the flip down thingie cover the license plate. "That'll do," he said proudly, turning the car on. Tonight, he would start working the map of old friends, stopping in to say hi to anybody who could say hi back. In between destinations, he'd drive; he'd help someone who really needed it but, for all of the hours left to his own memories, hopes, and remaining dreams, he'd drive with conviction, and he'd drive mean.