… I was in a 7-11 in San Clemente with Theresa, at night. We were broken up, her boyfriend was a long way away, and we hung out with each other out of familiarity and comfort. It was painful and strange but I did it anyway because I still loved her.

We were in the 7-11 to play Earthshaker, our favorite pinball game. Back then, convenience stores had arcade games, you see. It was her turn, and I looked over at the Los Angeles Times and saw this:

I remember Theresa and I were dismayed and offended by what was going on in China. I also remember looking at that picture of one desperate man holding off the storm, however temporarily, and thinking, “I get that.”

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