A Worthy Sacrifice

I can't hear as well out of my left ear as I used to, and it bothers me. It feels stuffed up, and I keep having to ask people on that side of me to repeat themselves (which is embarrassing), but I assume it comes from listening to music at ridiculous volumes, going to ear-splitting rock shows in college, and playing in bands that were actually louder than jet engines (true story!), so I really only have myself to blame.

I'm walking home from the subway when one of my favorite songs comes on. I shove my headphones deeper into my ears until I can hear all the little details in the mix (while carefully avoiding turning up the volume, even though it's just under maximum), and stride on in rhythm to the drums pounding in my head.