I pull the vibrating, ringing phone from my jeans' pocket. My friend Wren Noel appears on the screen. "Hey, what's going on?"
"Liv, I'm in the hospital."
"What? Are you going to be okay? Can I do anything?" I wheel to the window. It's stupid, I know, because it isn't as if I can look out my window and see Wren Noel or the hospital.
"Eventually. A nurse is holding the phone for me. They have casts on my arms and left leg. I'm feeling fairly useless. I have a choice of going to a nursing home, or, well, I can't really get around my own apartment, but if it were set up for accessibility, I could go."
I chuckle. "Sounds like we're having a slumber party at my place."
"The insurance is covering a visiting nurse and therapist, so I don't need too much help. But it would be for a few weeks."
"Seriously, it's fine. It'll be fun. We can binge-watch shows and movies while you heal."
"You're sure? I could go to the nursing home." They say nursing home as if it's Death Row.
"I've been in your situation. Well, not exactly, but you know what I mean. You'll heal better with a friend. Besides, I don't want to take the bus across town to a nursing home to see you every week. Much easier if you come here."
They laugh. "Glad to do you that favor."
I wheel around my house, setting up the living room for when Wren Noel comes. I message my roommates to let them know they'll be here. My roommates mostly keep to their rented floors, with private entrances to the basement and second floor, but I feel it's polite to give a heads-up.
"Fred, our buddy Wren Noel is going to stay with us," I tell my fluffy orange cat. He's more interested in his catnip mouse, but I've said it anyway. I look for Sir Pusspuss, but, as usual, the gray and white ball of fur is nowhere to be found. Next, I inform the other creatures residing here. Wren Noel is just unusual enough to be intrigued, rather than frightened or appalled, by the outcasts of mythology living under my roof. The world may call them monsters, but I know they can be kinder and more loving than many humans I've encountered, dead or alive.
I flip off the GOOD PSYCHIC COMMUNICATIONS neon sign. There are no appointments for the rest of the day, so I may as well seem closed. Then I roll to the kitchen and start on dinner. I'm not sure if they'll feed Wren Noel before transporting him here, but probably not. I make a roast chicken soup with lots of vegetables.
As the transporter pulls in my driveway, I press three buttons on the remote to turn on the television. The familiar percussive tudum sound fills the room as Netflix loads. I wheel out to greet Wren Noel. Their complexion is as pale as usual, but all of their signature piercings have been removed, including the neckbolts. Their long, black hair is tied in a messy ponytail at the back of their head, secured with a rubber band.
"Hideous, I know," they say as they see me.
"Well, there goes the plans for a magazine cover shoot. Darn," I say with a laugh.
They smile and wince. We continue with small talk and casual jokes until the transportation people are gone and they're comfortable in the living room.
"I can't thank you enough for saving me. Now, what smells so damn good?"
"Chicken soup. Figured I'd go easy on you the first night."
"Liv, you're a goddess among us. Did I mention I'm supposed to work on making a crossword puzzle?"
I raise an eyebrow. "With which hand? I don't see how you're planning that."
"You know that side-hustle job I got making puzzles and such for that entertainment magazine?"
I nod. "Oh yeah, sure." If I had a nickel for every side-hustle job Wren Noel has mentioned over the years, I could buy myself a new wheelchair.
"Well, if we come up with some clues related to shows and movies, I was hoping you could help me create it. Not a lot of pay, but it's not all that much work, either."
"As long as I don't have to do your regular job. Communicating with spirits is one thing, but I'm not going to embalm the dead for you."
They laugh. "Relax, you'd need a special degree and an apprenticeship, it's a whole big thing, to get that job. No, just this fun side job. Like, what were you planning to watch? I see Netflix is queued up."
"Atypical. Sam Gardner is an autistic teenager. Have you seen it?"
"All but the last season. Sounds like a great place to start. We'll come up with a crossword clue to match the show."
We eat our soup as we watch. I'm better at feeding Wren Noel than they expected me to be. They bite less than the creatures I've taken care of over the years.
As the night winds down, we come up with our first crossword clue. I get Wren Noel settled before heading off to bed.
19 Across - The continent where Sam Gardner's penguins traditionally reside
The crossword clue will contain the LETTER of the day, though it might not be the *first* letter in the word.
My 2026 Theme is a slice-of-life short story with two characters binge-watching shows and movies while creating a crossword puzzle. Read and play along!
*Why stay with her instead of trying to get equipment?
Totally not political at all, but:
Totally not political at all, but:
"Beginning February 27, 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) initiated a six-month nationwide moratorium on new Medicare enrollments for specific Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies" - https://www.statnews.com/2026/02/26/cms-national-moratorium-durable-medical-equipment/
https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html
The awesome co-hosts for the April 1 posting of the IWSG are Melissa Maygrove, Cathrina Constantine, Kate Larkinsdale, and Rebecca Douglass!
April 1 question - If you have a playlist (or could put one together) that either gets you in the groove to write or fits with one of your books, what is it? What type of music or what songs?
For this story, they're binging shows and movies, so there's not a soundtrack. If I had to pick a music genre for them, it would be Goth Rock. Lots of Type O Negative.
Six Days
Song by DJ Shadow
At the starting of the week
At summit talks you'll hear them speak
It's only Monday
Negotiations breaking down
See those leaders start to frown
It's sword and g4n day
… Tomorrow never comes until it's too late
… You could be sitting taking lunch
The news will hit you like a punch
It's only Tuesday (What time is it?)
You never thought we'd go to war
After all the things we saw
It's April Fools' day (What time is it?)
Tomorrow never comes until it's too late
