Free M or F? by Lisa Papademetriou

you’re off to?” I asked her.
    â€œThe library. No, wait. Maybe it should be some kind of good cause, community-service thing.”
    â€œAt nine at night?” I asked.
    â€œSee that?” she said. “This is why I need you.” She bit her lower lip and shifted from foot to foot. “Okay, tell him my parents make me get off the computer after nine.”
    I made a wrong-answer-buzzer sound. “That doesn’t seem—”
    â€œI don’t want him trying to chat me up when you’re not around,” she said. “Not yet.”
    I wasn’t so sure this was a good idea, but I typed it in anyway.
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    â€œAll right,” I said, “Jeffo’s starting to show a little heat.”
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    â€œHey!” Frannie dug her thumbs into my shoulders a little too hard. I had just typed and sent the last response without checking first.
    â€œSorry,” I said. “It just felt like we were getting into a rhythm. I got carried away.”
    â€œWell, put it back in your pants, Mr. Gigolo.”
    â€œI think I’m more of a pimp than a gigolo right now.”
    Frannie turned my head back to the screen. “Focus, please.” Jeffrey’s next line was already waiting.
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    â€œYes!” I turned back to lock eyes with Frannie. “Okay, I’m checking with you about what you want to say, but you are going to say yes.”
    Frannie stared at the screen. “Ummm . . .”
    â€œWhy are you thinking about this? There’s only one answer here,” I told her.
    â€œMaybe it’s still too fast.” She stepped back and sat on the bed.
    â€œHe’s waiting,” I said.
    â€œOkay, okay. Fine.” She flopped back and pulled a pillow over her face, just like I had done when the topic was me and my grandmother.
    â€œDon’t smother,” I said. “Blue’s not a good color for you.”
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    â€œWait!” Frannie bolted up. “Astrid’s still back there. I can’t leave yet.”
    â€œDon’t worry about it,” I told her. “You’re exactly where you want to be. This is perfect. I’m going to say goodbye, okay?”
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    After I logged off, Frannie looked exhausted. “I can’t take this pressure,” she said.
    â€œSure, you can. You’re totally on track. And he really is easy to talk to,” I said. “I’ll bet you guys will be an and by the end of the month.”
    â€œAn and?”
    â€œYou know, like Belina and Keith. Frannie and Jeffrey.” I thought that would make her smile, but she let out a big sigh. “What is it?” I asked her.
    â€œNothing,” she said.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œWell.” She sighed again. “I’m going to have to do this on my own at some point.”
    â€œOmigod, you are so your father’s daughter,” I said. “Don’t you think it’s totally normal for friends to help friends with their relationships? I know you’re nervous, but that’s all it is—nerves. Jeffrey knows you and he likes you.” I waited for her to look up at me. “He likes you . Okay? Just keep going. I swear you’ll be glad you did.”
    â€œUnless he turns out to be a serial killer and hacks up my family in the middle of the night and steals my car.”
    â€œRight. But otherwise, you’ll be glad even if it doesn’t work out, ’cause then you can at least say you went for it.”
    â€œYeah,”