16

RING, RING.

My pulse jumps.

Ring, ring.

Literally everyone I know texts, so if my phone is ringing—

Oh god. Can’t breathe.

The caller ID is a string of numbers, no name.

Slide to answer, you jerk!

“Hel— Hello?”

“Hi there! This is Suzy from Travel Discounts and I’m calling with some exciting news! You may already be the winner of a four-day, three-night cruise to—”

“Fuck off, Suzy!”

Suzy is not offended.

Suzy is a robot.

Suzy doesn’t have feelings. She doesn’t have a heartbeat to regain control of or a stomach to unclench.

Suzy doesn’t have a liver to fail.

Which one of us might be the lucky winner here, Suzy? Cuz I’m thinking maybe it’s you.

Click.