and then she told me that the most beautiful way to die is drowning. not just any drowning. we were talking about the ocean.

can you imagine? she said. imagine. not a cloud in the sky. the sun way, way up there. lying on your back. feeling the breeze on your face and waves caressing your body. that's the best part.

(and here she looked away.)

i think it's about two o'clock, she continued, and bent down to tie her shoelaces.

close your eyes and fall to the ocean floor.

and then i noticed that she was already staring at me. i was afraid for a second that i had something on my face. how would you want to die?

me? i thought. it was a startling question. me dying has never crossed my mind. i don't think it's even a possibility.

i cannot die.

i thought she would laugh at me for saying such an absurd thing. but she was just smiling.

someday, she said. i won't either.