Made You Up

by Francesca Zappia

bowling balls tend to be astoundingly unobservant.

“No, you’re not a bad person,” he said. “And Richter isn’t a bad person, and I’m not a bad person. We’re just people, and people sometimes do stupid things.”

“So basically you’re saying if I don’t agree, you’re going to go anyway, but you’re pretty sure you’ll get caught.” “Basically.” “But you know I don’t want you to get caught.” “Yes.” “So you’re blackmailing me.” “Yep.” He narrowed his eyes. “I can get behind that,” he said.

Looking back on an event and realizing how easily you could have died—without even comprehending the deadliness of the thing that killed you—was a little like getting a bucket of ice water thrown in your face. Mostly harmless, but no less shocking.