esquire.com – DALLAS, TEXAS—At the corner of Field Street and Ross Avenue, a white man in a blue bandana holds a sign reading “Free hugs.” A woman crosses Ross and says, “You gonna brighten up someone’s day, honey?” He turns and printed on the back of his shirt is #prayfordallas.

Less than twelve hours. That’s how quick the tragedy recovery reflex is now. That’s how quick we begin to move on.

For nine days, I’d been walking down Ross to Griffin Street so I could do my job and coach kids on how to better whack each other with swords at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center, past Belo Garden Park where the protesters gathered, past the Bank of America building and past the Omni Hotel.