The pause makes you think the song will end. And then the song isn't really over, so you're relieved. But then the song does actually end, because every song ends, obviously, and THAT. TIME. THE. END. IS. FOR. REAL.
Jennifer EganThey resumed walking. Alex felt an ache in his eyes and throat. "I don't know what happened to me," he said, shaking his head. "I honestly don't." Bennie glanced at him, a middle-aged man with chaotic silver hair and thoughtful eyes. "You grew up, Alex," he said, "just like the rest of us.
Jennifer EganThe world is full of shitheads, Rhea. Donโt listen to themโlisten to me. And I know that Lou is one of those shitheads. But I listen.
Jennifer EganIโm like America โ he said. Stephanie swung around to look at him unnerved. โWhat are you talking about โ she said. โAre you off your meds โ โOur hands are dirty โ Jules said.
Jennifer EganAnd it may be that a crowd at a particular moment of history creates the object to justify its gathering, as it did at the first Human Be-In and Monterey Pop and Woodstock. Or it may be that two generations of war and surveillance had left people craving the embodiment of their own unease in the form of a lone, unsteady man on a slide guitar.
Jennifer Egan