His poor parents. I can’t stop thinking about them. His mom was always so nice to us whenever we’d go over there.

Parisa

The nicest. This is so surreal. How is this real life?

Gabriela

I don’t know.

Parisa

I just don’t understand why he went to Lizzy’s party. Andrew is always so cautious. Remember how he wouldn’t even drive with us in the car with him because he was too afraid of being a distracted driver? It always annoyed me that he made me and Wes drive us around all the time.

Ugh. I can’t. I can’t refer to him in the past tense yet. It just feels so wrong.

Gabriela

I know. Parisa, I’m SO sorry. I’m sorry about our fight. I’m sorry I’ve been MIA. This just makes me realize how petty I was being.

Parisa

No! I’m the one who’s sorry. I shouldn’t have made you feel bad just because you were trying to give me advice. I think the quarantine is just really taking a toll and we’re maybe both really sensitive.

Gabriela

You’re right. I love you.

Parisa

I love you, too.

Gabriela

This is a complete nightmare.

Parisa

I don’t know if I’ll be able to handle the virtual memorial.

My heart is racing. I think I’m going to have a panic attack or throw up.

Gabriela

I wish I could just come over and sit in your driveway and we could cry together.

Parisa

Me too.

Gabriela

Want to come over tonight? Drive over when your parents are asleep? We’ll stay six feet apart and wear masks.

Parisa

I don’t know… It’s already past the city curfew.

Gabriela

Shoot. I forgot about that. Okay. Never mind…

Parisa

Wait. Fuck it. Life is too short. I’m coming.

Gabriela

Really?

Parisa

Yes. I can’t wait to see you. Give me ten minutes to get out of here.

Gabriela

Okay! Text me when you’re outside.

Two Hours Later

Gabriela

Where are you? Are you standing me up? Did you change your mind?

Seriously, are you okay? I’m starting to get worried. Will you just text me so I know you’re alive?

PARISA

Anytime our family planned a vacation that required air travel, I would spend days listening to a fear-of-flying podcast. The pilot who hosted the series had a lot of analogies that helped quell some of my anxieties. He said to think of an airplane as a whale and the sky as the ocean, and that flying was the equivalent of going for a swim. He also likened turbulence to driving a car over a pothole, and he was quick to point out that air travel was much safer than driving.