Driving down the darkening road, you think about the idea of alone. Old beliefs would say that alone means not married. Alone might mean just not in the presence of another person at the moment. Alone is sometimes the perfect thing, the place where you work out difficulties or create solutions.

Alone is where we spend most of our time. Alone in our heads, alone in our beds.

You think about childhood, about fearing being alone. People were always walking too quickly. Don't leave me alone!, she cried out, or she thought it in her head. Don't go so fast.

What is wrong with alone? Flow from one thing to another. Feel the sweet unencumbrance. Push the motorcycle, lean, turn, accelerate. Lift that foot to the next branch, climb toward the top of that tree. Add a little more hot water to the bath.

But then you turn your head and wonder where the person is who can talk with you about this beautiful thing you've just seen. That's when alone feels like alone.

Alone is good. Alone makes you think of how much your friend would enjoy this thing you're doing, just now. Alone, that way, makes you want to call across the miles, saying, Come with me; come with me.