Offline Rush

Yeah, I saw it No,

I didn’t answer

Seven missed calls Three more texts Someone asking “What comes next?” Blue

light Half past two Everybody Needs something from you Open tab Open

mouth Say the right thing Send it out Keep it moving Don’t

disappear Make yourself Useful here

Reply

React Confirm Come back Reply

React Confirm— No

I’m not always available I’m not always on If I leave you

on read The world carries on

I’m not always available I don’t owe you tonight You can watch

that little green dot Go offline

Offline

Offline

Let it die

Morning meeting

Lunch-time ping Someone wants

“One tiny thing”

Thumb goes up Face goes blank Another favor

No one thanks “Quick question”

“Got a sec?” “Just checking in”

“What do you think?”

I think

I think I think—

I need a minute

I’m not always available I’m not always on If I leave you

on read The world carries on I’m not always available I don’t

owe you tonight You can watch that little green dot Go offline

Offline

Offline

Let it die

Typing… Typing… Typing… Deleted.

No update No comment No quick call No problem No summary No

follow-up No smiley face

No thumbs up

I saw it

I’m just not answering

I’m not always available I’m not always yours You can knock You

can buzz You can wait at the door I’m not always available

And nothing went wrong I turned the whole damn thing off And

the world—

Went on

Seen 2:43 AM