Unknown
Hey, I had a good time tonight. Bars aren’t usually my thing…
Unknown
But it was great meeting you.
Ember wonders whether to answer the mystery texter…
And then decides to entertain herself.
Ember
Yeah. I had fun too.
Unknown
I’m glad to hear that. I’ll admit, I had a hard time figuring out if you liked me.
Ember
I totally like you! I was just a little distracted by the Santa stripper contest.
Unknown
Ha. You’re funny.
Ember chuckles to herself.
Ember
Oh. I think you were in the bathroom for that part. You missed a good show.
Ember
Contestant #3 won even though #1 had a pop, lock, and drop move—
Ember
I think it was rigged.
There’s another long pause.
Unknown
I’m confused. You seem different—
Ember
I’m totally messing with you. You have the wrong number.
Ember
😂 Sorry. I couldn’t resist.
Unknown
Oh crap! Hang on, lemme check the paper she wrote it on.
Ember
Yeah, that’s me. She gave you a fake number. Sorry, dude—
Ember
Guess your bar babe wasn’t into you.
Unknown
I’m a girl, not a dude.
Unknown
Anyway, sorry to bother you. Hope I didn’t interrupt your night.
Ember
Actually, you’re the most exciting thing that’s happened in a while lol.
Unknown
Wow. And I thought my life was sad. I’m Wren, btw.
Ember
I’m Ember. Sorry your date didn’t work out. Then again, the whole bar thing is kind of cliché…
Ember
I mean, what kind of engagement story would that make?
Ember
“We met on a magical night, filled with the scent of sweat and old vomit…”
Ember
“I peered across the room and there she was with cigarette smoke billowing around her. Our gazes locked and time stopped…”
Ember
“Until the drunk guy next to her spilled his drink down her shirt.”
Wren
Lmao. Too bad you weren’t my real date—
Wren
You sound more interesting than she was.
Ember
I guarantee I’m more interesting.
Ember looks down at the IV in her arm. Her chest is suddenly full.
Ember
I doubt I’m your type though.
Wren
Why would you think that?
Wren
Oh jeez. It’s midnight! You work night shift or something?
Ember
I’m always up. It’s hard to sleep where I’m currently living.
There’s another long pause.
Wren
You’re making me curious about you…
Wren
But I need to crash. I work a 12-hour shift tomorrow.
Ember
Ok. Sorry again about your date.
Wren
It’s all good. I’ll try not to bother you again.
Ember
Seriously. My life is boring. I liked talking to you.
The next morning, Ember stares at her phone, wondering if she should text Wren.
She spent all night thinking about her.
Deciding she’ll sound too desperate, she tries to ignore the hums and beeps of the dialysis machine next to her and goes back to sleep.
Five minutes later, the sound of an incoming text wakes her.
Wren
Sorry if I’m bothering you. I can’t get you out of my head.
Ember smiles down at her phone.
Wren
Any chance you’re still bored? 😛
Ember
So where you working your 12-hr shift?
Wren
The hospital. I’m a nurse.
Ember closes her eyes, trying not to be disappointed.
She doesn’t exactly need more medical people in her life.
Wren
Your area code is local. You live in CT?
Wren
You’re not gonna tell me where, are you?
Ember
Maybe at some point 🤷 🤫
Wren
That’s ok. I’m gonna figure you out eventually.
Wren
You’ve got me intrigued. I love puzzles.
Ember
Ha. Good luck then 👍 😉
Feeling brave, she snaps a picture of her right hand waving at the camera and sends it.
She’s careful to keep her left hand with the IV out of the frame.
Wren
Hmm…that wallpaper in the background looks familiar. Not the kind of picture I wanna see though…
Wren
How about your face?
Heart beating in her chest, Ember decides to go for it.
She snaps a photo of half her face then sends it.
Wren
Daaaaamn. You’re beautiful!
Ember
Jeez. I don’t understand why that girl at the bar gave you a fake number!
Ember
You’re seriously gorgeous.
Wren
🙂 You’re sweet. And I know that wallpaper but I can’t place it right now.
Ember
Let’s get to know each other first.
Wren
Ok. What can I tell you?
Wren
How about where I work — here’s a pic.
Wren sends a picture of a standard Emergency Department.
Ember
Been there done that.
Wren
Hmm. Familiar with the ER but not in the medical field…
A nurse walks into Ember’s room, holding a dixie cup.
Ember’s head snaps up at the sound of her voice.
Ember’s cell phone pings.
Ember
No. Gotta go — bbs.
A half hour later, Ember texts Wren.
Wren
Do you run the animal-assisted therapy program?
Wren
I could see you bringing the dogs around the floor 🐶
Ember
I wish! But no. No pets for me.
Wren
No pets? Idk what I’d do without my cat.
Ember
I had a fish once. It didn’t live long.
Wren
You named your fish Chicken?? 😂
Ember
It seemed like a good idea at the time.
Wren
I really wish I could see you.
Ember
Want another photo?
Ember sighs and looks at machines around her.
Wren
We should go for coffee.
Wren
I promise I’m not a serial killer.
Ember
That’s exactly what a serial killer would say.
Wren
We can meet somewhere public.
Ember
Idk. I’ll think about it.
Wren
🙂 I’ll win you over.
Wren
I haven’t even brought out my A game yet.
Ember
I’ll have to brace myself for your charm.
Ember
There’s nothing straight about me.
Wren
Lmao. That makes two of us.
There’s a long pause. Ember feels nauseas. She wonders…
Is it a bad idea to put her body through this emotional stress, given the current state of her health?
And besides, what are the chances this thing between them won’t end in heart break?
Wren
Hey, I have another guess.
Wren
What if you don’t WORK in a hospital?
Wren
Have you been a patient in one?
Ember’s heart races. She thinks for a moment about how best to respond.
Wren
😏 I’m getting closer, aren’t I?
Wren
Heh. Okay my break is over. Back to work!
A young, female aide delivers lunch to Ember. The food’s bland like always, but she forces it down.
Ember
Hope your lunch was yummier than mine 🤢 Ttyl!
Wren
Tty soon! Very soon, if I have any say in it.
Wren
Btw, I have another guess. Later though…
Ember grins at her phone.
Aide
Are you talking to a crush or something?
Ember startles and places her phone face down on the bed.
Aide
Okay, okay. It’s just…I’m sure that’s exactly how I look when my boyfriend texts me.
Aide
It’s good. I see a lot of depression around here. It’s nice to see someone smiling.
The reminder of her location makes Ember frown.
The aide looks around the room.
Aide
You on the list for a transplant?
Aide
Well, good luck. Let me know if you need anything—
Aide
I’ll hook you up with extra Jell-O next time if you want.
Ember looks back at her phone, wondering if it would be easier on them both if she and Wren…
If she got it over with and blocked her number.
