Four Days and a Year Later

He endured every parent's worst nightmare.

When writer-comedian Barry Friedman's son died from a drug overdose one Friday morning, Barry was devastated—but not surprised. Paul's death had been in dress rehearsal for years. The world alternately froze and galloped after Paul was found face-down in his room. Barry had to find a way to continue, to reject magical thinking and forge a meaningful path for the future. During the following four days, Barry dealt not only with his crushing grief but...