Day 21: This Is Goodbye, Mildred

2 p.m. CST

Sunnyvale, CA: I am sitting in front of my television watching Germany kill Australia in the first Group D match of the World Cup.

Durban, South Africa: Tens of thousands of fans cheer on the Germany national soccer team, while tens of thousands grow disappointed in Australia's poor performance.

Denton, TX: My parents sit in the bleachers of the UNT Auditorium waiting for my brother's name to be called at his high school graduation ceremony. Meanwhile, my brother receives a text from me: "Congratulations! I'm going to call you later tonight, okay? Also, just an update. Germany is killing Australia 4-0."

Wichita, KS: A man calls a (214) number with urgent news, but receives no response. He's the messenger of news far worse than Australia losing miserably to Germany. He continues to call for the next couple of hours until someone on the other end finally picks up. You know how long those graduation ceremonies take.


Rest in Peace, Mildred.