a sea of other vacationers doing the exact same thing as me. It’s just inconsiderate, is what it is. I mean, the nerve of some people (like me). THE NEXT SEGMENT AFTER THIS IS PRETTY HEAVY, SO I’M WRITING THIS ONE AS A TRANSITION Life isn’t all gum drops, moon pies, skipping down the street in a carefree manner, sleeping late because you can, orgasms, having your shoelaces stay tied all day, riding bikes at dusk, gelato, discovering a new favorite song, laughing at your best friend’s joke, dancing a jig, having your work crush compliment you, going “wooooo” at your favorite band so they play an encore, and petting dogs. Eventually you’re going to have to go to the dentist and get sick, you know? Sometimes life is sobering, because it has to be. I don’t like it either, but that’s the way it is. OKAY, YOU READY? Buckle up, ‘cause here we go. A LETTER TO AN OLD FRIEND I’m glad we got to talk when I was going through the worst of it. It may have been a simple conversation to you, but it meant the world to me. As you know, things have been so bad for me for so long. And there were many times I didn’t handle it well at all. I kind of lost it for a while there. But whenever I talked to you, it instantly calmed me down. I’m not sure what I did to deserve to have someone like you in my life. But you’ve been there over and over when things were almost unbearable. I still have pictures of us from when we were kids. We were so young and happy. It's hard to believe we were ever that way. Who would’ve known how many bad things were about to happen to us? Or how many good things as well, I guess. You know, that’s one thing wrong with me that I can’t seem to fix: I always forget to think about the good things. It’s a shame you’re so far away these days. It’d be nice to grab a drink or food or coffee. Or all of them in one sitting — just to catch up on everything. I never had to try to think of things to say when you were around. It’s almost as if the words couldn’t wait to get out — like they were just dying to get to you. And you were okay with that. In fact, that’s why our time together is always so amazing. I’m so lucky you just want to be around me because of who I am. And every time we get together, you appreciate everything about me. You love me for being me. How heartwarming and fortunate and beautiful is that? Really I just wanted you to know that I think of you sometimes. And when I do, it brings a smile to my face. After everything that happened, I did make it through, thanks in large part to you. So I wanted to say hello, and tell you that you mean a lot to me. Because I don’t want anyone else to die before they know that. So thank you for being you. I’m so glad you’re you. I’m so relieved you’re you. I love you and can’t wait to see you again. ART BY RAY YOUNG CHU - BEST OF ISSUE 017 9
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