Song · 2025 · Duration 2:14

It started, as most bad decisions do, with confidence. “It’s a corn maze,” I said. “How hard can it be?” Those words should have immediately summoned a park employee to confiscate my admission bracelet and escort me back to the parking lot. Instead, I marched into the maze with three friends, absolutely convinced that generations of human navigation had prepared me for this moment. People crossed oceans using stars. Explorers navigated entire continents with hand-drawn maps. I had Google Maps, excellent instincts, and half a pumpkin spice latte. We were going to be fine.

Julianna had a habit of saving her life for later. She would take the walk when she had more energy. She would call her friend when she was in a better mood. She would start reading again when she could concentrate. She would sit outside and enjoy the sunshine when there weren't dishes in the sink, emails waiting to be answered, or twelve other things demanding her attention. Most of all, she kept telling herself that she would start taking better care of herself when she felt better. The problem was, “better” never seemed to arrive.

‘Parade of Loons’ appears on forthcoming Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers 50th anniversary box set