My phone tells me it’s Not-Really-Ben, “NRB,” as I’ve labeled his number. I wait to respond, thinking maybe his texts came out of order. But nothing follows, no predictable introduction, no formulaic Good morning! He’s diving right in, which is how I love to communicate. My relief is a long, slow exhale. I don’t have to pretend. I don’t have to engage in mind-numbing introductory small talk.

BEA: I don’t know. Why?

His response comes seconds later:

NRB: Because they want to find a Czech mate.

I snort.

Sula peers out from the back room. “Doing all right?” she asks, a grin on her face.

“Fine.” I wave my hand and pocket my phone. When she disappears back into the office, I pull out my phone again and set it on the glass counter.

BEA: You’re going to get me in trouble at work. You made me laugh.

NRB: Did I really? I wasn’t counting on making you laugh. But I was told we have chess as a common interest. A relevant pun seemed like a solid opening move.

I smile.

BEA: It was. That’s a hard act to follow, NRB.

NRB: NRB?

BEA: Not-Really-Ben. NRB.

NRB: NRB, I like it. We’re thinking similarly. I have you in as PA. Pseudonymous Addie.

Another snort-laugh sneaks out.

BEA: Pseudonymous? Fancy vocabulary.

NRB: Too many hours reading in the weird and awkward young years.

BEA: Well, you aren’t alone there. I was weird & awkward as a kid. Still am.

BEA: Speaking of weird, do you feel weird about not sharing real names?

NRB: It’s odd not to know your first name. Then again, this situation itself is odd. But, not bad. At least for me. That said, if you’re uncomfortable with this, we can forget it. I have no idea how you got roped into it, but I don’t want you to feel obligated. And I can tell you my first name if that helps.

I stare at my phone, weighing my choices. This is flowing easily so far, maybe because we’re not using our real names, because I have something safe to hide behind. Having a pseudonym makes a difference mentally, because if things don’t pan out, it wasn’t really me he ditched. It’s Addie. I think I like him not knowing my name.

BEA: Let’s keep the pseudonyms for now. Is that OK?

NRB: That’s fine with me. We have plenty of time before Saturday and can always revisit that decision. Assuming we both feel comfortable meeting when Saturday comes around.