everyone is like. its been a horrible year!!! WHY has this year felt so bad and gruelling??
it's the genocide and ethnic cleansing, the fever pitch hatred of migrants, women, and lgbt people allowing for the prospective abandonment of international human rights law. it's the various modes by which late capitalism and the fascist state is brutalising you and everyone around you. it's trauma. you can do a lot to decide the terms on your own life, but we are all connected to each other and there's a lot to feel and bear witness to and to resist, and that IS a gruelling responsibility.
whatever this year has looked like for you personally, it has been immeasurably traumatic for the global working class. and we should all feel connected to that.
anyway. like rosa said, the most revolutionary thing one can do is always to proclaim loudly what is happening.
Anyway, when I was in college I was constantly going to marches and protests against canadian and saudi mining projects in the SanturbĂĄn pĂĄramo, one of the most important ecosystems in Colombia in terms of biodiversity, and the source of drinking water of 30+ municipalities in my state, including the city I live in. Ultimately these mining proposals lost their license due to environmental regulations.
But now that our new far-right president elect is looking to suck up to imperial core powers once again, canadian mining corporation Aris mining is interested in re-starting mining projects in SanturbĂĄn. Which, would inevitably give cyanide poisoning not only to my city's drinking water, but 30+ other municipalities and indigenous communities.
In 1948, a man named Tony Signorini wore three-toed, 30-pound âfeetâ and stomped around Florida beaches at night. The huge tracks made people think a 15-foot giant penguin was roaming the area, and he kept pulling the same prank for about 10 years on different beaches. The hoax stayed unknown for decades until it was publicly revealed years later.
Dennis picks up on it immediately. While they're making breakfast, Jack is a bit more chatty than usual, rambling on about something that the younger man can't quite follow, and at first he thinks that maybe Jack is just excited for the cookout later with the rest of the night shift.
But then it hits him.
It's the 4th of July.
And instead of excitement, Dennis realizes that what he is picking up on is agitation and stress. Of course, Jack is stressed. He feels like an idiot for not thinking about it before, but now he understands why the man winces whenever Dennis shuts the front door just a bit too forcefully or when the intern accidentally drops something heavy on the floor.
He doesn't know how Jack is dealing with the 4th of july, but he understands that he is probably putting up with far more than he needs to in order to make Dennis happy.
"Jack, how do you usually celebrate?" he tentatively asks, not asking the question he really wants to in fear of triggering him.
Jack shrugs.
"Usually some bratwurst and burgers with Mike, along with a few beers, and maybe a game or two of horseshoes. I know, I know," he mutters under his breath, waving his hand. "It's an old man game."
Dennis smiles and says, "No, it's not. Used to play it with my brothers every single 4th of July growing up. I'm the reigning champion for the past 5 years."
Jack looks up at him, finally looking him in the eyes, and smiles.
And then Dennis adds, "...no fireworks?"
Jack stills.
Shakes his head.
"No."
He turns away from him, and Dennis realizes it's even worse than he thought. He's never asked Jack how he lost his leg, and now he's understanding that it's probably intertwined with the trauma, especially when he sees Jack's hand subtly squeeze his right thigh, just above the prosthetic.
Swallowing hard, Dennis hesitantly says, "I never really liked fireworks, either. My brothers...well, they used to drive over the state line the day before and buy bottle rockets and firecrackers, and then sneak them back to the house. Scared the crap out of the cows, and I had to sew Tommy's first two fingers back on for him when I was just a kid because he didn't want Mom to find out what he did..."
Jack turns back towards him, an interesting look on his face that Dennis can't quite place.
"Looks like you got your ER training early, kid," Jack drawls, and Dennis shrugs.
"Yeah, I guessâbut that's not what I'm trying to say. What I'm trying to say is, you don't have to tell me why you don't like them, just let me be here for you and don't push me away...please?"
Giving him a soft look, Jack steps towards him and maneuvers Dennis until his back is against the counter and Jack is able to step between his legs.
His hands go to Dennis' hips and grips them hard.
In a soft voice he says, "I'll...I'll do my best. I can't guarantee I'm going to be any good at this, but I'll do my best..."
And then he leans in and presses a soft kiss to the younger man's cheek, and Dennis leans into it, feeling the love and affection behind it, and breathes out a sigh of relief.
"That's all I ask, Jack."
They stay standing like that for a while, basking in each other's warmth. Dennis doesn't know if he'll ever know what happened to his boyfriend's leg, but he's okay if he never knows. He loves him enough to understand that certain traumas stick with you no matter what you do, no matter how many years pass.
Trying to ease the tension, he asks, "So, are you going to let Robby cook the bratwurst this time?" and Jack barks out a laugh.
"Ha! Not on your life, kid. Don't worry, I'll make sure that nothing gets burnt."
The James Webb Space Telescope spotted a chain of 20 galaxies, dubbed the Cosmic Vine, which stretches 13 million light-years across and dates back to just 3 billion years after the Big Bang.
Instead of Robby going on âsabbaticalâ Jack takes a week of emergency leave and the two of them rent a house somewhere on the coast in a different state, far away from the Pitt.
They walk along the sandy beach, let the cool water crash over their legs, and lay in the sun. Robby reads to Jack and enjoys the peaceful snores he gets instead of applause.
Jack makes them breakfast every morning. Robby learns the morning yoga is good for you, even if he isnât willing to get as bare as Jack does.
That week does more for him than three months ever could. Robby could leave PTMC behind, he could abandon it so far in the distance that the only thing in front of him was a cliffside.
