This exercise reminds me of Alisa and her online dating adventures. Not that I’m thinking of him as an online date. Not at all. There’s no romantic interest here. I’m curious; that’s all there is to it. It’s a new experience, and I’m allowing myself to be… intrigued. Yes, that’s the word. I’m intrigued.

Number 7, I text.

Have you ever eaten food that fell on the floor? he writes back.

I chuckle. That’s his question? OK…

Does the 5-second rule apply?

Outside of the 5-second rule.

Then no.

I did. Number 3.

Have you ever lied to your parents about where you’re going?

Is it a trick question? Of course! But that was a long time ago.

That’s a clue. A long time ago. He sounds older than I am. Although, if I think about it, high school was a long time ago for me too. I didn’t, I say.

Then you’re a much better person than I am.

I roll my eyes.

Or I was just a boring teenager. Number 13.

Have you ever done something you regretted? he texts.

That’s a tough question. And kind of ironic.

Many times. Today for instance.

I hope you’re not talking about this trip, he texts.

No.

I get a small tinge in my stomach and find myself smiling at the phone.

Good. Number 10, he says.

Time for some this or that. Tea or Coffee? I text.

Easy one. Coffee.

Same here. Do you have a favorite?

Strong coffee? And lots of it? he texts and then sends laughing emojis.

Totally with him on that one.

My turn. Number 21, I text.

Have you ever cheated? he asks.

No. Never, I say.

And it’s true. I have never ever cheated on any of my boyfriends.

That was an insensitive question. I’m sorry. And I’m mad about what he did to you. It’s unacceptable. Totally unacceptable, he texts back and despite the distance—who knows how big—I wish I could give him a hug.

A second text arrives seconds later. I never cheated on anyone either. And never will.

I read the text, and it gives me pause. I want to write something back, then I stop. It’s like the awkward silence between two people who are face to face. Only we’re not.

And a third text. Number 15.

Hope this doesn’t count as cheating; it’s a tiny tweak to the game. The real number 15 is: ‘Would you ever swim with the sharks?’ Instead, I ask, Would you ever get married?

The moment I press send, I regret it. He’ll think I’m hitting on him. I shouldn’t have done that; I don’t even know where it came from. I guess I just… I just want to figure out if he’s married. Why does it matter? It’s not like… well, the harm’s been done. I can’t recall my text.

I hope I will. One day. When and if I find the right person, he answers a couple of minutes later. Those two minutes felt like two hours.