WHEN MY 59-YEAR-OLD NEIGHBOR KNOCKED AT MIDNIGHT, I THOUGHT I WAS FIXING A PIPE, BUT I WAS REALLY SAVING MY OWN LIFE…

make the bed feel less empty. Approval did not bring me back to life.”

Emily blinked. I stayed silent. This belonged to them.

“I’m scared for you,” Emily whispered.

“I know,” Caroline said. “But I am fifty-nine years old, and I would rather risk being alive than continue dying politely.”

The room went still.

Then Emily looked at me. “Are you serious about continue reading …