I remember the day we met. It was the first day at the camp, 22 years ago, we were 8 years old. I remember high school, all our performances.. I remember the summer when.. our parents decided to stay on Cape Cod, a mile apart.. and we met every night on the beach, and sat talking until three in the morning. About our plans, about how one day we will move to New York together, find a cheap apartment.. become famous and change the world) .. I remember the first summer after college, we smoked weed on a breakwater and Mike accidentally admitted that he was gay. I remember our friends, a bunch of friends..
I remember their funerals, I remember their parents, who were not yet fifty, saying kaddish to their children.. I think of them, I think of Mike, and before I know what's going on... I start running. Past the pond, past the carousel. The ticking is so loud! that I can't hear anything anymore.. I feel my heart tighten in my throat, the wind shakes the trees, the sky darkens.. I want the ticking to stop! I want it all to end.