Free Hung Up by Kristen Tracy Page B

accident. I’m going to start calling hospitals. So if you got cold feet or you somehow patched things up with Nan and you’re just standing me up, you need to suck it up right now and not be a coward and a jerkface and tell me that immediately. Because afterhospitals, I might start calling morgues. Seriously. I’m breaking out in hives. All over. I’m so worried. Where are you?
    April 19, 1:14 a.m.
    Lucy: You’re either the biggest asshole on the planet Earth, or you’re dead. Either way, don’t ever call me again.
    April 19
    April 20
    April 21, 8:51 p.m.
    Lucy: Your phone still works. So you can’t be dead. You are just an asshole. I can’t believe it. What was the point of all this? Just to make another person feel like shit? Mission accomplished. If you ever feel tempted to call me again, don’t. Burn my number.
    April 22
    April 23, 4:46 p.m.
    James: Lucy, I am so sorry. I know you don’t want to talk to me. This isn’t entirely my fault. There was a family emergency. My mom picked me up from school. I forgotmy cell phone. I had to go to Canada. These aren’t just lame excuses. I didn’t have your phone number. But it wouldn’t have mattered, because I didn’t have cell phone reception in Montreal. When I was at the hospital, I tried to find your home number online. But I couldn’t find a Villaire anywhere in Vermont. I thought about calling one of your friends, but I didn’t know CeCe’s last name. I want to fix things. I’m so sorry that I worried you. I feel awful about your hives. I didn’t mean to do this. I am so sorry. I’ll take you for a nice dinner at Single Pebble. I’ll take you to another dance. I’ll take you anywhere. I like you. I didn’t mean to hurt you. Please call me.
    April 24, 6:21 p.m.
    James: You might think that I sent the flowers because two days ago was Earth Day and tomorrow is Arbor Day. But I sent them because I still feel bad and I want to talk to you. We’re friends, Lucy. Friends should forgive each other. This was beyond my control. It’s like I was one of those guys bobbing in the sea in Crane’s story. My fate was out of my hands. There was nothing I could do. Come on. Call me back.
    April 25, 6:34 a.m.
    James: I thought maybe if I called you in the morningyou’d talk to me. Lucy, I miss talking to you. I feel bad. I wish that hadn’t happened. Why don’t you call me back? Think about it.
    April 25, sent 12:09 p.m.
    James: You should answer your phone. We’d both feel better.
    April 25, 3:39 p.m.
    James: Even if you aren’t answering your phone, I figure that I can leave you messages about my day. I talked to Jairo today. He felt bad about my family emergency. Nan too. She found me and we talked at lunch. I don’t want to tell your voice mailbox about that situation. I’d rather tell you. I’m not trying to be mysterious about it. It’s just that it’s personal. Anyway, it felt good to talk to Jairo. And you were right about him and Nan. Things are rocky. I don’t think the foundation was all that great. Good call on your part. I don’t know if me and Jairo will be great friends again or anything. And talking to Nan was a little weird. I should just forgive both of them and move on. How about this, you forgive me and I’ll forgive them? Everybody wins. Especially me. That was a joke. Maybe next time I call, you’ll pick up your phone. Maybe.
    April 27, 2:34 p.m.
    James: Lucy, this is ridiculous. I should just drive out to your house and force you to have a conversation with me. You’re being way too stubborn. Answer your phone. Just talk to me.
    Would it be that hard to do that? I said I was sorry. What more can I do? Tell me! Is this really how you want things to end?
    April 27, 2:35 p.m.
    James: You’re acting like a baby! I forgot to tell you that in my last message. Whah. Whah. Whah.
    April 27, 2:41 p.m.
    James: I shouldn’t have yelled at you in my last message. I’m sorry. I just want to talk to you. I want to fix this. Pick. Up. The.