The Music of What Happens

by Bill Konigsberg

I want to help, but I can’t. I’m waiting for Jordan to dig himself out.

We drive in silence for a bit. I’m thinking about how Jordan sounded when he was hyperventilating. That whole “I can’t I can’t” thing. You know who he sounded like? His mom. That first day. And that’s something I’d never say to him. Ever.

“Good luck with that. The world will make you vulnerable. If you’re acting like you’re not, that’s what you’re doing. Acting.”