“Are you OK?” I text several friends. Thankfully, they’re all safe but two had to evacuate. I’m agitated all day without being able to pinpoint exactly why. Out of concern for them, yes. The photos are apocalyptic: Smoke-filled skies and fires everywhere. But probably out of fear for myself, too. Things will definitely get worse before they get better. And sooner or later, disaster is bound to find me. Will I be OK? I want to show care but the gesture feels too small, inadequate. “Are you OK?” I mean, really… Is anyone OK these days?

A YEARs-LONG CREATIVE EXPLORATION OF THE CLIMATE THROUGH 100-WORD STORIES • WEEK 32