Miles:Aw, hi Clematis.
Me:Sorry if I bothered you.
Miles:Nah. I’m playing a stupid game since I can’t sleep.
Me:Oh?
Miles:Don’t ask. It’s embarrassing.
Me:Well, now I have to know. What are you playing?
Miles sends a screenshot of a game with two Sims characters chatting in a messy kitchen. One of them has a green diamond above its head.
I crack a smile, exit Messenger, and open Sims Freeplay on my phone. It’s been months since I’ve logged in, so it takes a few minutes to bypass the “Welcome back!” messages, but as soon as I see Charles, my main character, I take a screenshot and send it to Miles.
He replies instantly with a string of laughing emojis.So we’re both nerds, huh? Plant Daddies AND Gamers? Sounds too good to be true.
Me:I hardly call myself a gamer. It’s hit or miss when the mood strikes.
For games and everything else in my life.
Miles:If you play games, you’re a gamer.
Me:Labels, schmabels.
Another laughing emoji.
Miles:Are you going to tell me you crochet too? Or is that just wishful thinking?
I arch a brow. Miles crochets? That’s… interesting.
Me:No, I don’t think I could handle a ball of yarn even if my life depended on it.
Miles:Skein. It’s called a skein, my dear friend. And dammit. I got my hopes up. Guess you’re not the man of my dreams after all. But hey, if you ever wanted to learn, your cat might thank you…
He attaches a picture of some crocheted mice scattered on what I can only assume is his bed. The plain white material looks like a standard duvet found in a hotel room. His black and white cat, Lily, is sprawled out next to the mice, green eyes slit into a look of pure satisfaction.
Me:You made those?
Miles:Yup. They’re easy! And it keeps her busy, since they have catnip inside. Keeps me busy too, when work gets to me. Gives me something to focus on instead of my sick patients.
Huh. Well, now I’m curious. I never considered making toys for Clematis, but she’d probably love them. She goes nuts for her other catnip toys.
Me:Easy, huh? Why do I feel like that’s a lie?
Miles:I promise they are. I can teach you, if you want.
I catch myself smiling. Why is this guy so easy to talk to?
Me:I thought you were trying to sleep? Or making some Sims flirt or something?
Miles: Well, I didn’t mean right now, lol. I’d need to get more yarn before I can show you. But yes, I am TOTALLY making them flirt! Doesn’t everyone make their characters woo-hoo? That’s all the fun of it!
My smile widens.
Me:An Ace person would say they play the game to decorate the house…
Miles:Well, good for them. But I’m proud to say I make all my Sims walk around in their underwear and kiss as often as possible.
