A girl who measures herself in lists collects a state tally: South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, up to Wisconsin … then stuck around 25 states. Driving along interstate 80/90, she sees a sign. Dad, can we stop in Michigan? A grunt from the driver’s seat. Dad! I’ve never been to Michigan. I can get another state! Another grunt. Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad – “Stop it!” She’s counting white dashes when the car stops. Dad turns. “Open your door.” She obeys. “Get out.” What? “Get. Out.” She gets out, clutching the handle. “Jump up and down.” She obeys. “There. Now you’ve been to Michigan.”
Linda McMullen is a wife, mother, diplomat, and homesick Wisconsinite. Her short stories and the occasional poem have appeared in over one hundred literary magazines. Find Linda on Twitter @LindaCMcMullen.