Rocky is hyperactive. He wants to do that one more movie, one more TV show, one more radio show. Rocky cannot just sit down and die. He begs for that just one more time – the one last time. “We will get back to it all” he seems to say.

He pleads – like I’ve pleaded. One more movie, a few more minutes of conversation, one more trip together… just one more football game. “Guys, we are all leaving for different places. We might never meet again for many years after this day. Heck, we might never play football together again. Lets do this one last time.”

I came home that night with my shoes unsoiled and my calves devoid of that sweet pain I so loved. I thought teams, friends and partners last forever.

Poignant? Peace With Guns reviews Elizabeth McCracken’s book Niagara Falls All Over Again here.