Chloe Salmon

We made plans for a polite, lonely desperation meetup, which turned into us hitting it off in a real way and spending almost every free minute together that summer.

We got our bearings, stayed out late bar hopping and eating cheap food, and screeched in panic as his toilet overflowed and flooded his tiny studio while I shouted, how do you turn off water at my dad over the phone?

A real bonding kind of summer.

Almost 15 years later, I am no better at troubleshooting plumbing issues, and he is still one of my closest friends.

Our next story is from Valerie Walker, who told it at a story slam where the theme was chemistry.

Here's Valerie, live at the Moth.

That was Valerie Walker.

She is an activist, artist, and storyteller whose stories challenge perceptions and build community through shared feelings.

Survival as triumph and vulnerability as strength are key themes in her work.

After the break, another story about how friends can stick with you.

Back in a moment.

Welcome back.

Our final story is from Matthew Dix, who told this at one of our open mic story slams in Boston.

Here's Matthew, live at the Moth.

That was Matthew Dix.

He's an elementary school teacher and novelist whose books include Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend, Something Missing, and Unexpectedly Milo.

He's the founder and creative director of Speak Up, a Hartford-based storytelling organization.

Matt loves ice cream cake, tickling his children, staring at his wife, and not sleeping.

That brings us to the end of our episode.

Thank you to our storytellers for sharing with us and to you for listening.