June 21
Summer
Channing Park had just been waking up with a ball of golden-orange light on the horizon. Squirrels and chipmunks played along Fireside Trail, squeaking and tumbling in the green and woody blanket of the park’s thin forest. The morning’s temperature held at a solid eighty degrees, but by three that afternoon, it was supposed to sky-rocket to ninety-three degrees, seeping with hot humidity and unpleasantness.
With not a cloud in sight above the trees’ open canopy, Burke ran alongside his best friend through shards of light, huffing with Ad on their Saturday run. Both were shirtless because of the breathtaking weather and sported Nike running shorts and shoes.
Burke said to Ad, “Hand me your water. Mine’s empty.”
Ad slowed his run to a jog and then a walk. He passed his wa
