“What’s the biggest event you’ve ever created something for?” I can’t help the grin that spreads across my face as I lean into the phone like I’m telling the literal thousands of people watching my livestream a secret. “Well, it actually hasn’t happened yet, but next week, I’m going to be making the coolest sculpture for a premiere.”
I pretend to zip my lips. “It’s top secret, but stay tuned. Once it’s revealed, I’ll share with you all the details on how it was made.”
My timer goes off, and I grab it without looking to silence it before heading over to the freezer to carefully remove the orb I’d done earlier today. It’s always best to have a nearly done example of whatever you’re demonstrating in a livestream so you can quickly jump to the next task instead of waiting around in real time.
“I always love this moment,” I say as I bring it back into the camera frame. “It’s so high stakes every time, no matter how experienced you are.”
I carefully crack open the mold and smile hugely as it comes apart beautifully, revealing a gorgeous milky blue, chocolate orb, exactly as promised. I’m careful as I continue to narrate and place it on the small circular stand I’d made earlier out of a different kind of chocolate. It’s part of the surreal planetary landscape that looks amazing.
“I always want to whisper when I’m assembling,” I say in a very loud stage whisper. It took me a while to get used to always narrating my every move for the camera, but now it’s almost second nature to do it as I work. “It feels like bad luck to speak too loudly, you know?”
I let go of the orb, and it settles down perfectly in its stand. I breathe an audible sigh of relief and step back from what looks like a very passable alternate universe, giant gas planet. The shiny blue I used for the orb is a mesmerizing constellation of little stars.
“This is just one small element of the overall sculpture that it’s going to be a part of, but I think that’s about it for tonight. Tomorrow, we’ll be transporting everything in pieces to the venue, one of the science museums downtown, and then assembling there. I can’t wait to show you the finished product. Until then.” I wave goodbye to my followers.
Once disconnected from the world, I shake out my shoulders and then unfasten my phone from the tripod. Next, I turn off the ring light and push it back into the corner. I always have to blink a few times to adjust back to normal lighting after staring into the ring light for so long. If it didn’t make everything look a thousand times better, I would definitely go without it.
As I’m cleaning up the mess I made of my bench and making sure everything is packed and ready for transit tomorrow, my phone chimes with a familiar notification. I wipe my hands on my apron and grab it from the table.
Abuela: I was just thinking of you. How’s my favorite nieta?
I’m her only granddaughter, but there’s no point in reminding her of the obvious. It’ll just make her sad. She always wanted more kids, but Mom is all she had—and then she lost her too young.
Atzi: I’m good. How are you and Abuelito doing?”
Abuela: Missing you. Tu abuelo está bien. No te olvides que vamos a visitarte después de ir a Mallorca.
I try not to panic, but I’m about to have a heart attack. Of course I haven’t forgotten that she’ll be visiting me after she goes to Majorca. I wish I could convince them not to come.
Atzi: You shouldn’t bother. I can come to see you. I’ll buy the tickets right now. It’ll be nice to visit Cancun soon.
I chew on my lip as I wait for a reply. This is the second time I’ve attempted to stall her visit. I just don’t understand why she’s being so stubborn. She has never set foot in San Francisco since my parents died. Never.
Why now?
Abuela: The house in Cancun is having some issues. We’ve been staying in Mexico City, but that’s not the point. We will be there as promised. It’s time we meet your fiancé.
In less than a month, I’m going to have them at my house judging my mess and disappointed in me because… well, there’s no fiancé.
Abuela: Dile a tú prometido que tiene que pedirle tu mano en matrimonio a tu abuelo.
I laugh when I read that she wants me to tell my fiancé to ask for my hand in marriage. Funny story, Abuelita. I don’t have a fiancé and… can you give me two more years to find one? The small drop of panic from earlier is about to become a big anxiety attack.
This is why I shouldn’t lie. The simple white lie I told back in college has become a monster of a completely fabricated relationship with a person who, in theory, doesn’t exist.
What am I supposed to do now?
Chapter Five
Heath
I have never been more relieved in my life to see the cardiology residents’ break room is empty. I slump against the door as it shuts behind me. I close my eyes just for a few seconds of no visual stimulation. My day went from bad to what the fuck in less than two hours. Everything else has been a blur of emergencies and mishaps.
The coffee pot is empty when I finally have the energy to cross the room to the small kitchenette. I stumble through the process of throwing out the old grounds and putting in a new filter. It’s tempting to make just enough for myself, but I generously take a few extra seconds to portion out enough fresh grounds to fill a pot. Maybe my karma will improve this way.
Once I fill my paper cup, I collapse into one of the worn-out armchairs and hold it to my nose. The smell alone is enough to make me feel less on the brink of death. I rub my face with my free hand and sigh. I lost a patient this morning in a high-stakes surgery, and while it’s a reality of the job, it never gets easier.
I pull my phone out of my pocket to see that it’s got a screenful of notifications.
Lysander: What are you doing this weekend?
Fern: We’re planning a family vacation. When are you taking time off?
Aslan: Don’t forget we have a board meeting next Monday.
Atzi: Sorry about the patient.
Lysander: I just heard. Sorry you lost a patient.
Fern: Call me. Love you.
Cory: Love you, Heath!
Cas: Sorry, man.
Gatsby: I’m here if you need me.
Aslan: Sorry, Heath. We’re here for you.
Hux: Come by the bar, the drinks are on me.
I hadn’t shared my bad morning with anyone except Atzi. I guess she texted everyone to let them know what happened. She also sent me a video of an elderly golden retriever walking around with a plushie almost as big as his head. It makes me smile instantly.
Atzi has always been great at knowing exactly how to offer comfort in a way that no one else gets. The texts from my family are appreciated in their own way because I know they mean them sincerely, but I hate dwelling too much on the bad things.