Curbside Retrospective

His thin shoulders
hunched
against the chill
evening mist,
he surveyed
the oncoming cars
with a weary look
of superior 
disdain.

The weariness
within
belied
his sixteen years.
He longed
for the peace
of his shabby room,
the distracting noise
and diversion
of his Xbox.

The Audi slowed...
stopped.
Power window lowered,
terms and conditions
discussed.
The boy noted the tie,
the service club
lapel pin,
and hated the man
nearly as much
as the abusive father,
     now
          far
               away.