New York

The midlife crisis was the worst thing that could have happened to Cooper. He questioned everything he had done with his life, everything he hadn’t done, everything that could have been. Cooper got a new haircut—he usually liked his wavy hair—and bought new clothes. He could feel the years passing, and he wasn’t getting any younger. So he also bought a black convertible.

Cooper had a son. He didn’t regret him, but he did regret the way he was conceived—one night in a bar with a stranger. He had been drunk enough to hook up with the first woman who approached him. Cooper had his son during vacations and holidays.

During his crisis, seeing his son so full of life felt like a blow. It wasn’t envy, but rather… nostalgia. Then Nicholas asked if he could invite his friends over for a pool party, and Cooper agreed—he could make burgers.

Of course, when Nicholas’s friends arrived, Cooper cooked hamburgers for them and got drinks. Nicholas, excited, asked for very specific drinks and snacks. Cooper wondered why—until he saw a girl walk in with the group. Then he understood. The boy wanted to impress her. Cooper couldn’t help wanting to step in and help him a little; Nicholas was shy, and he could see him practicing what to say to the girl.