Watchmen

It is 10:44 pm. I’m sitting at office blogging and chatting on AIM (the US version of MSN). I’m talking to Brian, my possible-best friend’s younger brother.

In fifteen seconds time, he will tell me what’s been happening in his life.

Twelve seconds now.

Two minutes ago, I was sitting at office attempting to finish the 4000 word hip hop feature. It is due in 88 hours. One minute ago, I decided my mind is too cluttered with thoughts and too distracted to work.

Seven seconds now.

I call Brian my “possible-best friend’s little brother” because even though I have referred to his brother as my best friend for the past several years, I think the feeling is one-sided. This happens often.

Two seconds now.

Brian tells me his predicament: His wife had just given birth to a baby girl. He is looking for work after being laid off a few months ago. He was a high school teacher. He tells me he is applying for schools, but does not rule out making a return to doing retail sale to make ends meet.

It is 2003, and Brian is a sales person at Anchor Blue. He splits his time between work and college.

It is 1999 and I am driving Brian to his first job, that of a basketball coach for the City of Alhambra. I am also a coach. We coached different elementary schools. We meet in the playoffs. My team defeats his team. I brag and teach the children to talk trash on the court.

It is 2001 and I am giving Brian a haircut before prom.

It is 2004 and I am driving to Riverside to visit Brian, who is dorming at UC Riverside.

It is 2008 and Brian tells me he’s going to marry his girlfriend despite disapproval from nearly his entire family. I am proud of him.

I am 7254 miles from Los Angeles. It is Wednesday there. In about seven seconds, Brian will make me look at things from a new perspective.

Two hours into my future, I'll be working on the hip hop feature. Fifty seconds in my past, Brian told me about his unemployment.

Brian tells me things will be okay. That even though money’s tight, he is excited to be a father. He knows he will be a teacher again. He is happy to have a family.

It is 1999 and Brian is like a little brother to me.

It is 2009 and Brian is like an inspiration to me.

In eighty eight hours, I am emailing the finished hip hop feature to the Editors of Muse.

Eighty seven hours, fifty nine minutes, and fifty five seconds now.

And I'm up while the dawn is breaking, even though my heart is aching. I should be drinking a toast to absent friends instead of these comedians --Elvis Costello

Tonight, a comedian died in New York.