HA: Hey
Hey
Issy wasn’t quite sure why she answered.
It had definitely been at least a year since they had spoken last. Friendly casual stopped working when one person was delusional and in a committed relationship elsewhere. Not that Henry would be able to see that forest when he was too busy harvesting magical mushrooms. His first text, like all the great works of poets and thought leaders before him, was “Hey.” Such vast improvement from “Yo.”
HA: How’re things?
Good. I’m in Arlington now. How about you?
Issy knew why she answered. Her last relationship had physically ended long before she cut the cord and she hadn’t found anyone who could scratch that itch.
HA: That’s great. Things are good. Have my life more figured out. What’re you up to?
Just got home a little bit ago.
Like a magically, twist of stalker fate, Henry had reached out. While her heart and soul weren’t big fans, her body was already ready for him. Not anyone, not like all her other recent nights alone. Him.
HA: That’s cool. Listen, let me just come over. We can catch up.
She shifted her phone on her chest, waiting for the option to type in her passcode since her dominant hand, with the fingers that unlocked it, was otherwise occupied. Her body might never forgive her for this.
HA: I can be there in 15 minutes.
No, but thanks. I’m exhausted and am about to take a nap.
HA: Great. I’ll take one with you.
Next time. Maybe.
HA: No, seriously, listen. I’ll be there in a few.
HA: It’s no big deal.
HA: Issy, I’m on my way. I know you’re not sleeping.
HA: I’m here and your door is locked.
ISSY, I’M HERE.
*THUD, THUD, THUD*
ISSY!
*THUD, THUD, THUD*
OPEN THE DOOR, PLEASE!
*THWACK, THWACK, THWACK*
“Excuse me, is everything alright?”
“Yeah, just waiting for Issy.”
“She doesn’t seem to be home so why don’t you give her a call and I’ll tell her you came by.”
HA: Your neighbor is a nosy bitch. I know you’re in there. Fuck you. You should have just answered the door.
When the darkness in her apartment had gotten to be the same color as Henry’s eyes, Issy finally moved – her muscles flaring, her joints sounding off like trumpets as she stood. She turned on the smallest light in the hallway and made her way to the picture windows facing the parking lot. Tucked into the corner she twisted the strings until the blinds were closed, and she didn’t step freely into the living room until the curtains had finally touched shutting out the night.
Issy walked to the kitchen. She threw a steam fresh bag of broccoli into the microwave and uncorked a bottle of wine. She hadn’t eaten since lunch, since before. . . well, at least there was a sliver of silver lining to her neighbor’s nosiness.