It was there in the morning
mixing with the other aromas
of the breakfast table -
the coffee
the freshly-squeezed oranges.
And later in the Chevy
for the short ride
through the neighborhood streets
until I'd get out
with my bookbag
a block from school
so the other kids
wouldn't see.
And later still
when he'd get home from work
and look in on me
asleep in my room
before settling into his armchair
with the paper.
