At 6 PM that night, Wren sends Ember another picture of herself.
Ember laughs at the goofy look on the face of the blonde woman with brown eyes and pale skin. She’s standing in a kitchen.
Wren
Just got home! Phew. ER was busy this afternoon.
Ember types a response quickly before she loses courage.
Ember
You have a very kissable mouth.
Wren
So do you…and killer eyes. I can’t wait to see you.
Wren
Someday is too far away. How about a picture to pass the time?
Wren
It’s only fair. I sent you a bonus pic.
Ember snaps a photo, cropping out the hospital bed and heart monitor. Then she sends it.
Wren
It looks like you’re in the same place you took the last photo.
Ember
I don’t get out much.
Wren
Are you an astronaut?!
Ember
No! Nothing that exciting.
Wren
So I’m not getting any closer?
Ember
You’re almost a galaxy away 👩🚀 😉
Wren
Lol. I really like talking to you.
Ember
I like it too. You have no idea…
Ember
You have no idea how much you break up the monotony of my day.
Wren
More vague hints, huh?
Wren
It’s ok. It’s just…I’m curious if we have chemistry in person.
Wren
Waiting to find out is killing me.
Ember
I’m sure girls are falling all over themselves for you.
Wren
Ha. Like the girl from the bar?
Wren
How about a good hint? Please?
Before Ember can think of something, a new text comes in from Wren.
Wren
What do you do for work?
Wren
That question should be easy enough.
Ember
I can’t work right now.
Wren
Okay. Well, just so you know…
Wren
I’m not going to stop bothering you until you agree to meet 😛
Ember
You know if a guy said that, any sane person would block him.
Wren
Gotta love double standards.
She looks around the room.
Ember
Where I live is both quiet and noisy, often at the same time. It smells like disinfectant.
Ember
My best friend is short and stout, always by my side, and keeps me alive.
There’s another long pause and Ember wonders if she scared Wren away.
Her nephrologist walks into the room.
Ember
Gotta go. Be back tomorrow.
In the middle of the night, Ember wakes up sweating.
She’s in severe pain and is feeling nauseas. She hits the CALL button next to the bed—
And blacks out just as the night nurse rushes in.
A few hours later, Ember opens her eyes. There are people all around her.
Off in a corner, she spots someone who reminds her of the photo Wren sent of herself.
Figuring she’s delirious, Ember falls back asleep.
Later in the morning, Ember is fully awake when a nurse walks into her room.
She’s sitting up in bed with an IV pumping antibiotics into her body to clear up another kidney infection.
Nurse
You’ve moved up the transplant list.
Ember
I guess there’s something to be said for almost dying.
Nurse
We don’t plan on losing you, sweetie.
Ember
I like that attitude. Did someone call my mom?
Nurse
I’m not sure. Want me to get your phone?
Ember nods. The nurse takes her phone off the charger on the floor and hands it to Ember.
Ember dials her mom’s number then waits for her to pick-up.
Mom
Good morning, honey! Is it morning there? I’ve lost track of the time zones.
Ember
Yes, it’s morning. How’s work?
Mom
Tiring. I love China but the city is getting overwhelming. Only a week left and then I’ll be home.
Ember closes her eyes, pushing back her tears.
She wishes her mom were here right now. Her dad left when she was a baby…
And it’s been her and her mom ever since.
She’s Ember’s best friend.
Ember
Mom? I have to tell you something.
When Ember’s mom speaks, her voice sounds alarmed.
Mom
What’s wrong? Is everything okay?
Ember
Yes. It’s fine. Just a rough night.
Mom
There’s something you’re not telling me.
Ember
I was moved up the transplant list.
Mom
I would say that’s good but I’m sure there’s a reason that happened.
Ember
Like I said, rough night.
Mom
Want me to come there now?
Mom
I can book a flight for this afternoon.
Ember
No, no. There’s no point.
Ember
I’m stable now, so I’ll just be sitting here waiting…
Ember
Whether you’re here or there.
Reluctantly, Ember’s mom answers.
Mom
Okay, but you keep me updated, okay?
Mom
I can always finish up these last meetings on Skype if I have to.
Mom
Promise me you’ll tell me if anything changes.
Ember spots a vase of flowers on the table in her room.
They weren’t there before — right?
Mom
Okay, honey. I love you.
Ember hangs up and turns to the nurse.
Ember
Where did those come from?
Nurse
A woman dropped them off. She didn’t say her name.
Nurse
She was in scrubs but I didn’t recognize her.
Nurse
Definitely not from the nephrology department.
Suddenly, Ember has a flashback from the recovery room.
Didn’t she see someone who looked like Wren when she was feverish?
Ember
Can you hand me the card?
Nurse
Sure thing, sweetie.
Ember reads the message on the card…
You’re even more gorgeous in person. Get well soon.
Panicked, Ember fumbles for her phone and checks her messages.
There’s only one text and it’s from two days ago.
Wren
I won’t bug you, but please let me know when you’re feeling okay.
Ember flips to her text message chain with Wren. With shaking hands, she begins typing.
Ember
Like, in my room when I was sick?
She stares at the phone — half shocked, half mortified.
Ember
How did you find me?
Wren
I figured it out. The disinfectant smell. The picture of the wallpaper…
Wren
And I…I searched the hospital database for you, since your name isn’t too common. Was that weird of me?
Ember’s heart races — but then she thinks of Wren’s beautiful face…
Ember
Actually, no. It’s more…sweet. Because it’s you.
Wren
Thank God! And don’t worry. I didn’t watch you sleep or anything. I just dropped the flowers off.
Wren
Are you…well enough to have visitors yet?
Ember
Do you know I went into kidney failure?
Ember
That I’m waiting for a transplant?
Wren
Um, you coded on a nephrology floor—
Wren
I put two and two together. I am a nurse 😉
Ember swallows. Her hands shake as she types back.
Ember
You still want to meet me?
