Remember telling me about things that happen to your body past 40? Nobody warns you was what you said? I was ambivalent to be initiated, but somehow ever since our conversation, I’ve felt more prepared for the moment I find my first grey pubic hair, and when that day comes, I’ll think of you, my friend.

G-sparkle-dog! That’s your gangster name. You can name me. Then we need a name for our gang. And of course, we’ll need a handshake, and either satin or leather jackets embroidered with our name and logo too. So, we also need a logo. And a mascot. Okay?

Dear Kate, Remember when we first met? On retreat in France with our fabulous writing teacher — in silence and surrounded by things simmering in that silence? You wore cowboy boots and marveled at the rain — because Arizona hardly sees any.