Buzzed

By Judith Friscia

Tim’s buzzing phone jarred Emily awake.

She’d tried waiting up for him. At 1:37 AM, Tim’s finally home but in the shower.

As she picked up his phone, Old Spice body wash fumes and the caller’s name, Robert, crept into Emily’s consciousness.

Who’s Robert?

She swiped the phone’s screen, hearing a woman say, “Tim? It’s Jessica. You’re stringing me along. I love you!”

Emily sighed at Tim’s chicanery: Robert is Jessica. Jessica, the rebound girl Tim dated when they were separated.

A shrill squeak signaled his shower’s end. Phone stored in the fridge, Emily went to bed to sleep it off.