WAITING FOR A FRIEND

This short story opens in a seemingly ordinary way--with the narrator's best friend from high school turning up after 34 years. Patrick Lawlor takes on the voice of the "responsible" narrator, who doesn't go for water pistol fights anymore. Throughout the audiobook, Lawlor shifts his delivery effectively, rolling with the moments. His voice carries the weight of adult worries, with a hint of irritation at the surprise visit. Yet he delivers the memories of youth with a nostalgic fondness. Still, there's something else there--a memory that's tragic-- and one can sometimes hear tension in Lawlor's voice. Author and narrator provide a meditation on aging, life, and spontaneity. J.A.S. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2015]