You think you know him.

You don't...really.

I mean you weren't super close,

but you know he was blood.

Your blood.

He had the same thoughts

everyone has and goes through

during tough times.

You imagine he felt something

more than pain.

Anguish.

A feeling of running underwater

during a lightning storm.

You imagine how his widow

must feel between breathes.

Maybe she catches them in

fishing nets covered in more holes

than patches.

Maybe if you let yourself get to her

you can save her. Him.

What if she can't be saved?

What if he can't be saved?

What if you could save her? Would you?

What if you could only save one?

What if that familiar stranger needed

you

to throw him a lifejacket?

What if that lifejacket

was a metal casing

wrapped in a barrel?

What if he needed to be saved

and you just asked him,

are you okay?

Would he respond to you or

drown in the barrel?