by Danyelle Hershkopf
**This work is one of two parallel pieces. To read the other, click here.**
Hi, I text.
I hope you aren’t busy. What if I’m bothering you? Do I text first too much? Are you in some meeting or out with friends or family? Will you groan when you see me texting, once again?
Sup.
Oh thank goodness.
Nothing much. U? I ask. Wait, did I leave my mouse outside? I start up my laptop and go to the kitchen, where, sure enough, I left my mouse. Why there, I have no idea. 3 a.m. me isn’t known to make sense.
I go back to my room, after getting myself a banana. There, your answer said:
Just reading.
Oh crap. I am bothering you, aren’t I? Should I say bye now? I want to keep talking. If I say bye, will I be over-reacting? But if I don’t, will you just be answering because you don’t wan to be rude? I’ll ask you the name of the book. Yeah, that’s a good plan. A simple question that can let me know if you’re up to keep talking. No need to start drama.
Time passes. I try to pass it by finding something to watch next Saturday. Then, the answer:
The Odyssey.
I can’t help it. I type in a pun. You find it funny, so I’m going to send another because I’m on a roll, dammit. If I can make you laugh, that means we’re having fun. And that I’m not a bother. You say that you laughed again, and I can’t help but to laugh, too.
I look up the movies showing at the nearest theater.
So, found something to do yet? Or still “not much”
I tell you about the movie search. Maybe you can come. But if I ask, will I seem too desperate? I’ll wait on your response. Maybe in that time I’ll work up the nerve to ask. Or maybe you’ll say something with exclamation points or emojis, and I’ll know that you’re excited to see something. That way I can ease into a, “Hey, if u want, we can go. How’s next Saturday for u?”
But you don’t say that. After practically a year passes, you wish me luck. I guess nothing’s out that you want to see. That’s ok. Maybe someday we can see something else, or do something else.
But I can’t stop feeling a bit…I don’t know. You can’t feel bad for what hasn’t happened, right? Should I ask now? Or will I be pushing my luck in some way?
I make my decision.
I thank you.
No prob.
