Attention

Like that of Willy Loman, it seemed necessary that "Attention must be paid" to the end of Dick Clark's life. After all, he'd been famous for as long as I could remember, and was older than most of my generation. When Brian Williams broke into regular programming to announce his death, I was alone, and so I waited to tell someone, not sure of what the comments would be, but some words would certainly be spoken, "some attention paid." I heard the steps on the back stairs, the door open, and waited for him to enter the room. "Dick Clark is dead," I announced. "What?" I repeated the announcement, much louder this time: "Dick Clark is dead!" A pause, then, "The car is dead?" After the third time, even louder, there was nothing left to say. RIP, Dick, I'm sure there will be plenty of attention paid, but we're exhausted.