“I tried to kill myself 2 months ago.”

Ray knew Jimmy was getting worse. He’d begun to wear long sleeves again in the summer. He’d sold all his trophies. He emptied out all his money to charities. Two months ago they had a big party and Jimmy was the life of it. Dancing and making jokes that everyone laughed at. And then nothing. He’d sent one last text to everyone and then never replied to anything else. He’d sold his house and drove far, far away. Somewhere he could do what he needed to do.

Yesterday, Ray finally got news from Jimmy. He didn’t tell Ray what had happened, just asked if they could meet together on the beach with some drinks. Ray agreed.

Ray turned to look at his pals face. Jimmy looked… tired. His eyebags shone as he stared at the setting sun. Cheeks sunken in and hair grayed. Ray quickly took another sip of his martini.

“…No shit.”

“No shit.” Jimmy chuckled.

“…Was it me?”

Jimmy’s smile faded and he rubbed his eyes.

“It was a lot of things. But never you.”

There was silence for another moment. Just the sound of the crashing waves.

“…I didn’t want to do it. I was just—“

“I know, Jim.”

It wasn’t silence anymore. Just quiet understanding as Ray raised his hand and placed it on his friends shoulder, squeezing the firm muscle as Jimmy began to weep.