Point/Counterpoint: So what are you doing after graduation? vs. Brian, just—I don’t know if this “staying friends” thing is gonna work.
Point:So, any idea what you wanna do with your life now that you’re a quote unquote “real adult”? Haha, sorry, I’m probably like the thousandth person to ask you that, right? Ahh, I’m turning into a boring grown-up already, haha! I don’t even really have an answer to that question for myself anyway.
Counterpoint: I’m gonna be spending some time in Chicago this summer with a friend and then…*sigh*…look, Brian, I can’t do this. Just like—I don’t know, I feel like trying to act like none of this past year happened isn’t going to work. And maybe that’s my fault, but I don’t think going back to being “just friends” works like that. I mean, seriously, it’s only been a month and like—I don’t know, I’m sorry. I’ve been in kind of a weird place lately…
Point: Chicago, huh? Oh that’ll be really fun—I hear Chris and Mackenzie are both staying in Chitown this summer too. You know what you should do? You should check out the Chicago Jazz Festival! It’s in Millenium Park in early August. Totally free and really fun. Jake and I went last year and had a great time.
Counterpoint: Yeah, uh, maybe. Look, I’m trying not to be weird or cold about this or anything but I need some time to be around other people and not really have to think about wherever you and I stand right now. I hope that doesn’t come off as like—oh, sorry, hold on, Jackie’s calling me. I think it’s urgent.
Point: Hey, how is ol’ Jackie O? Remember I used to call her that ‘cause her last name was O’Brien? Haha, that was hilarious! Hey, tell her Bri-Bri says “hi.”
Counterpoint: What? Sorry, Jackie, hold on a sec. Brian, what? I’m on the phone, what did you say?
Point: Tell ol’ Jackie Bri-Bri says “hi,” yeah?
Counterpoint: Yeah, fine. Oh, nothing, Jackie. Brian says—
Point: Bri-Bri
Counterpoint: What?
Point: Not Brian, “Bri-Bri.”
Counterpoint: I’m not going to say that. Sorry, Jackie, what were you saying?
Point: …so, post-grad life is gonna be weird, right? Cooking for yourself and doing taxes and all that stuff.
Counterpoint: Jackie it’s gonna be alright. I’ll be over in a second; we can talk about it.
Point: Mortgages and joint pain…
Counterpoint: I’ll see you later, Brian, I have to go over to Jackie’s. Matt just broke up with her and she’s pretty upset about it.
Point: Saving for retirement, carefully planning vacation days…
Counterpoint: Sorry to rush out like this. If you want to talk more just text me, ok?
Point: 401k’s, getting promoted to the corner office…
Counterpoint: See ya!
Point: …the tireless creep of time, the inevitable spirit that engulfs all that is…the slow, steady, ceaseless advance of our earthly expiry date…Death, whose spirit ne’er a mortal has challenged…on and on…
Counterpoint:
Point: Man, now we’re gonna have to learn to be real adults, haha. I guess that means I can’t make microwave ramen every night for dinner anymore!
