Every thing feels like the last thing and Louise feels like the very last thing of all. The elevator is the end of my life and Louise is the end of life itself. Louise is entropy, Louise is the end credits, Louise is the moment the dreidel stops spinning. Louise is it. Every morning I wake up and look into her eyes and make peace with death. She is my mediator with the reaper.

Louise’s hand twists into mine and I wait for my heart to stop. Louise’s hair falls against my cheek and I close my eyes and feel my pulse. Louise is the moment the dreidel stops spinning, and I wait for it to fall.