"i think most of us are always afraid that we'll end up alone."

"i want something different," i said

she looked over at me. "me too. and sometimes i remember that that's what i'm working to create. that it's actually possible to always have people around me who know me and love me and grow with me."

as she was talking, i could feel it for a moment, what it would be like to live outside the fear of that ultimate loneliness, to be certain that you would partake of life the whole way through in the company of your most beloved friends. it felt amazing. it felt like clothesline sheets in july sunshine, light and bright, catching the cool of the breeze. i wanted desperately to create what hibickina had just described in my own lifetime. looking over at her, i knew i was on the right road.

-off the map