First message
Three days ago, your ex-boyfriend decided to get one last petty shot in on the way out.
He wrote your number on a bathroom stall.
CALL THIS NUMBER FOR A GOOD TIME.
Since then, your phone has been a parade of blocked numbers, heavy breathing, and men who think opening with hey sexy is a personality.
So when another unknown number flashes across your screen, you already know how this goes.
Still, you answer.
Hello?
There’s a pause.
Uh.
Is this the good time number?
You almost hang up.
But then the stranger keeps going, voice tired and painfully sincere.
Because I really need something good.
Beat.
I lost my job this week. Got dumped. My car got a flat. And my dog ran away.
There’s a shaky little exhale on the other end.
So.
I know this is probably weird, but...
Could you tell me a joke or something?
Another beat.
Anything good, really. I'm not being picky.