04
I lie in bed, the shock creating an unreality that obviates any tiredness. Earlier in the morning, my best friend’s husband rang to say that she had passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. The rest of the day unfolded in numbness. It’s cliché, but there aren’t many other ways to describe the response to such terrible news – it’s an impenetrable and unprocessable disbelief. Other things tumble faintly through my mind; I was meant to pursue a job prospect. Two years of Covid, lockdowns, mandates, et al, had left me unemployed, but an application for one job had opened another possibility in publishing. I had a couple of freelance writing gigs…
My Friend Blaise
My dearest friend, Blaise van Hecke, passed away early Monday morning. Everybody’s posted the sweetest platitudes about her on social media. That’s what happens when somebody dies. People say the nicest things about them. They’ll say those things about me when I pass away. In my case, just know about half of those platitudes won’t be entirely accurate, or will even omit a few things. The truest platitude for me would be something like, “Oh, he could go out of his way to help you, but sometimes he could be a surly prick.” That’s still being kind. But we don’t say those things about those who’ve left us. As far…