In the story from James Patterson's "Hope to Die," the narrator reflects on a moment he once believed was the pinnacle of experience, calling it "the price of admission." He thought that the feeling or event could never be surpassed, holding it as a cherished memory. This indicates a sense of nostalgia and the importance of that particular moment in his life.

However, as time went on, something changed. The narrator's perspective shifted, suggesting that despite the significant moment he once valued so highly, newer experiences or discoveries might have surpassed it. The phrase "the price of admission" symbolizes the cost or sacrifice associated with reaching that memorable point, but also implies that life continues forward, offering new moments to cherish beyond what he initially thought was the best.