First-Time Caller

Late one night, an auto mechanic named Lucie Stone goes to investigate a mysterious noise in her house. She is horrified when she hears her 12-year-old daughter, Maya, speaking to someone on the phone about a secret undertaking. Lucie rushes in as her daughter tries to hide her phone. Lucie can hear the other caller and realizes she hears “a man’s voice that is talking to [her] underage child in the middle of the night” (16). Lucie’s shock deepens when Maya suggests she take the call.

The man on the other end is Aiden, who initially laughs at the predicament but is quickly cowed by Lucie’s fury when she questions his motives. Maya tries to tell Lucie the call is not a sign that she is having a crisis. Aiden explains that he hosts a radio show about dating and romance. He tells Lucie, “Maya didn’t call for herself. She called for you” (19).

The show transcript reveals Maya and Aiden’s conversation before Lucie’s arrival. He is surprised to hear from someone who does not sound like an adult, and she explains that she is trying to help her mother.

Aiden feels unexpectedly energized by Lucie and Maya’s situation. He is quietly charmed when he hears Maya and Lucie laughing together, remembering his own childhood. Aiden starts a commercial break so he can talk to Lucie more privately. Lucie asks if Aiden has any qualifications to help people with their problems, and he assures her that he is only interested in a conversation and will not push her boundaries. Lucie agrees to stay on the line.

As Aiden talks, he notices Jackson watching him, clearly stunned by his more upbeat demeanor. Meanwhile, Maya explains that Lucie does not date or socialize often, which concerns her. Lucie discloses that recent dating efforts, especially online, have “made [her] feel small, less connected” (31). Aiden identifies with her doubts.

Lucie explains that Maya has fallen asleep, and Aiden asks what her ideal future looks like. Aiden assures her that there is nothing wrong with wanting companionship and reluctantly admits that they share a predicament, as he confesses, “I guess sometimes I do get lonely” (33). Aiden asks Lucie what would make dating feel more manageable. She tells him, “I want to wonder what my date is thinking about and hope it might be me. I want…I want the magic” (33).

Aiden is skeptical, but Lucie asks him not to mock her belief in lasting love. Lucie speaks again, passionately explaining that she does not want a relationship for its own sake but rather real connection. Aiden finds himself reluctant to hang up and wishes her luck.

In the radio transcript, Lucie and Aiden say goodnight to each other.

A week later, Maya hides from Lucie behind a row of cereal boxes, worried her mother is angry. Internally, Lucie berates herself for confessing so much to Aiden and worries that she and Maya’s father have somehow failed her. Lucie became a mother in her teens and has been single since then. Maya’s father, Grayson, is married to his husband, Mateo.

Lucie apologizes to Maya for not realizing that she was so invested in Lucie’s romantic life and emotional needs. Lucie admits to herself that talking about her own emotions was a relief but hopes that no one in her community heard the call. Her phone rings, and she ignores it, gently telling her daughter that her romantic future is her business. She makes Maya promise that all future conversations on the topic will be private. Lucie also assures Maya that Grayson, Mateo, her coworkers, and her best friend, Patty, regularly bring joy to her life. Privately, Lucie admits to herself, “I stopped [dating] because it wasn’t working, but what I’ve been doing isn’t working either” (42). Lucie is surprised when her phone rings again.

Lucie’s house is unexpectedly filled with noise as Grayson rushes in, berating Lucie for keeping secrets from him. Lucie realizes Grayson must somehow know about the radio show. He explains that the podcast episode featuring Aiden’s call with Lucie is now an internet sensation.

Later that day, Lucie slips into the garage where she works as a mechanic. Lucie is dismayed when her coworkers congratulate her. Her phone rings yet again. When she picks up, it is Aiden’s boss, Maggie, telling her she wants to meet her.

In the Heartstrings transcript, a caller asks for more news about Lucie.

Aiden arrives for an early meeting with Maggie, noticing that Jackson is climbing out of his car window because a car has blocked him in. Its owner is Jackson’s nemesis, a woman named Delilah who works at the news station next door.

Maggie summons Aiden and Jackson. The station intern also arrives and showers everyone with confetti because of the viral podcast with Lucie. Maggi tells Aiden she is relieved to see his demeanor has improved: “I don’t know what crawled up your ass and died, but you’ve been an absolute nightmare on the air lately” (62). She has invited Lucie to join him on the show to continue her search for love.

Aiden worries the new concept will be exploitative, but Magie, exasperated, explains that Lucie will help her save the station and maintain its independence. Nevertheless, Aiden is relieved to learn that Lucie is taking time to decide, realizing, “[S]he was bullied into that initial conversation, no matter how good Maya’s intentions were. I don’t want her to be bullied into this too” (68). Maggie assures Aiden that Lucie will accept.

A show transcript describes Aiden’s call with a man who promises he is Lucie’s perfect match. Aiden hangs up when the caller begins to discuss his genitals.

Lucie has wine with her best friend, Patty, who owns Skullduggery. Patty teases Lucie for going viral, seeing it as yet another mishap in her life, akin to her history of bad dates and unexpected pregnancy. Lucie and Patty discuss whether she should do the show. Lucie is tempted, knowing Maya’s hopes for her. On her way home, she texts Maggie and agrees to a meeting.

A caller gives a long monologue about the complexities and challenges of their long marriage. They urge Lucie to hold on to her ideals.