My office is right next to St. Jude’s—a 19th-century cemetery hidden behind an overgrown iron fence. Six months ago, burned out from staring at spreadsheets, I started sneaking in during my 45-minute lunch break. It was quiet, peaceful, and the only place nearby where no one asked me for anything. Eventually, I picked a spot: an old, flat mossy headstone tucked under an enormous oak tree, completely hidden from the main walking path. The tombstone belonged to a man named Arthur, who died in 1894. For months, it was just my secret spot. I’d eat my sandwich, listen to music, and enjoy the silence. Three weeks ago, I noticed something odd. A tiny, weathered stone was sitting on top of Arthur’s headstone, holding down a folded piece of yellowed paper. Curious, I opened it. Written in black ink was a single line: *"The noise outside the gate never changes, but the silence in here is always different."* I figured it was just poetry left by another quiet visitor or someone visiting...
A theater friend invited me to her Fourth of July party. I already had plans to see fireworks, but stopped by beforehand, brought drinks, and let her borrow my cooler. We played True American, drank, hung out. Completely normal party. I leave for the fireworks and realize after midnight that my cooler is still there. Cars are outside, lights are on, so I knock. My friend answers the door completely naked. Full disclosure: gay man here. At this point, I had never seen a fully naked woman live and in person. So I’m just like, “Oh. Okay. Hi. I’m just here for my cooler.” She drunkenly goes, “Oh yeah, it’s in the kitchen,” and leads me inside like there is absolutely nothing worth addressing here. I look into the living room. People are fucking on the floor. Shit you not. At no point was I briefed that this was to be an orgy. We get to the cooler, and I start unloading cans while my naked friend tries to help. She bends down. Tits hit me in the face. Okay. I keep unloading. She bends down...