ARLINGTON, MASS. -> NEW YORK, N.Y.

DAY ONE……………………….220 miles

It begins with the death of Snorlax.

Our road trip, I mean. To move to California for school. With my friend Michael? No, he still lives in New York, he’s just- okay, let me back up. It’s been a while.

When I became roommates with my friend Jasmine, her giant plush of Snorlax usurped me as my dog’s pillow and confidante. Today – July 29, 2024, of course – Snorlax is four full-size garbage bags of fluff by the time I’ve eviscerated him. I just don’t have room. I’m about to drive across the country in a sedan.

Suki the corgipoo is borderline precognitive about me leaving – though to be honest, the side-eye might have more to do with me gutting her bed than anything else. But enough about the Pokémon plush. It’s dead. R.I.P. Snorlax. I give Suki some head scratches and remind her that she’s coming with me, just not today.

I’m moving to L.A.

Michael and I begin our trip with a detour – New York City. God’s Favorite, our entry into the New York Theater Festival, was nominated for best production; our director and some of the actors get the nod themselves. Michael and I leap to our feet and sing the praises of the team’s winners: our brilliant director Maya McCullough, our charming actor Jack Russell. Then, we sip the night away with the whole cast, becoming increasingly confused about who ordered what as empty glasses pile up into the night.

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