I’m getting a FaceTime call from an unknown number.
I’m greeted with a smiling, but unfamiliar face.
Amanda
Uh, hi. Who are you?
Amanda
How did you get this number?
Tammy
Wow, you sure are beautiful.
Tammy
I can see why Dylan likes you.
I pause, then set down my wine glass.
She smiles, then laughs loudly.
Tammy
Of course I do, silly!
Tammy
He’s my ex-boyfriend.
I blink, then take her in.
She keeps staring at me, and…
It’s starting to get awkward.
Amanda
So…why are you calling me?
She smiles into the phone.
I notice she’s walking alone on the street…
And she sounds a little out of breath.
Tammy
I just wanted to see who Dylie replaced me with.
Tammy
When I heard he had a new girlfriend, I got curious.
I stand and start to pace.
Amanda
Look, I don’t know how you got this number, but…
Amanda
You’re making me uncomfortable.
Tammy
Truth is, Dyl and I are still really close.
He’s still close with his ex?
Tammy
So I thought it’d be nice if you and I talked and got to know one another.
And I sit back onto the couch.
Amanda
I didn’t know Dylan was talking to an ex.
Tammy
Dyl and I are TOTALLY over.
Tammy
You have nothing to worry about.
Amanda
Well, that’s good to know.
She puts her face closer to the phone.
Tammy
Is that dinner for two I see back there?
Clocking the candlelight dinner I set.
Amanda
Yeah, we have a date tonight.
Amanda
Um, homemade pizza.
Tammy
Dylan sure loves his pizza.
She laughs, and I force a tight smile.
Maybe she's just trying to be nice?
Tammy
But isn’t it so gross that he eats it with anchovies?
I glance over the phone at the bowl of anchovies on the table.
Amanda
He’ll be the only one eating those.
Tammy looks at the table with interest.
Tammy
I see you also got white wine…
Tammy
All of Dylan’s favorites.
Tammy
You know so much about him.
Tammy
You guys must be SO close.
The weird feeling in my chest spreading.
But before I can respond…
My phone beeps with another FaceTime call.
Amanda
I’m getting another call.
Amanda
So thanks for reaching out but—
Tammy
He gets out of work at 6:30.
Tammy
So cute he calls you right away!
Amanda
Uh huh. I better go—
I stare for a second, then nod.
When I switch over the call…
I’m greeted with my boyfriend’s handsome grin.
Dylan
You’re a sight for sore eyes…
Dylan
It’s been such a long day.
He notices my tone of voice…
And frowns at the screen.
Dylan
Is everything okay?
Amanda
Tammy’s on the other line.
Amanda
I could have used a heads up before you gave her my number.
Dylan, who was getting in his car, stops short.
Amanda
Your ex-girlfriend.
Amanda
I didn’t even know you had an ex.
Amanda
You told me you’ve been single for years.
Dylan
I have — and she’s the reason why.
Dylan
She’s my ex from high school.
Dylan gets in his car and slams the door.
He frantically searches around him, then checks all his mirrors.
When he turns back to the phone…
I’m shocked to see he looks terrified.
Dylan
Hang up on her. Now.
Dylan
Then block her number.
He gets in the car and peels out of the garage.
Amanda
What are you talking about?
Amanda
She told me you guys were close!
Dylan
You know that scar on my abdomen?
Amanda
What does that have to do with anything?
Dylan
When I broke up with her…
Dylan
Snuck into my house in the middle of the night…
I jump up, my jaw hanging open.
Amanda
Are you kidding me?!
Dylan
She was declared mentally unstable…
Dylan
And she’s been in a psych ward for the past five years.
Amanda
How could you not tell me this?!
Dylan
She wasn’t supposed to be let out! Ever!
Dylan
I’m not the only person she’s tried to hurt.
Dylan
If I even talked to a girl…
Dylan
She went after them.
My hand flies up to my mouth.
Dylan
Before she was committed…
Dylan
Said she’d get her revenge.
Dylan
But I didn’t take it seriously…
Dylan
Because I didn’t think I’d ever see her again!
Amanda
Well, she’s on my other line!
Amanda
What the heck am I supposed to do?!
Dylan
Make an excuse and hang up.
Dylan
Pretend you don’t know anything.
Dylan
The last thing you want to do is get her upset.
Amanda
This can’t be happening right now.
Dylan
I’m going to call the police.
Dylan
I’ll be at your place as soon as I can.
I nod, noting that my hands are shaking.
I compose myself as much as possible…
Then press the button to return to Tammy’s call.
Tammy
Dylan’s such a chatty Cathy, isn’t he?
She starts skipping down the sidewalk…
And I’m just about to respond…
When a familiar street sign catches my eye.
Amanda
Are you…are you on Rossdale?
She looks up, then shrugs.
Tammy
Is this where you live?
I immediately start running to check my locks.
She cackles loudly into the phone.
Tammy
A chatty Cathy indeed.
Tammy
Seems our little Dylan told you all about me.
I debate hanging up like Dylan told me to…
But if she’s on my street…
I need to make sure I know where she is.
Tammy
Did he tell you I’m crazy?!
She puts the phone up until I can only see one of her eyes.
I hold the phone away from me.
Amanda
I don’t want any trouble.
She laughs, then flips the phone camera.
She’s right in front of my house.
Tammy
What a nice place you have.
She starts walking toward my door…
And I start backing into the hallway.
I watch as she climbs up my porch…
Then knocks loudly at the door.
I jump, then run into the kitchen…
Searching frantically for a knife.
Amanda
Dylan’s already called the police!
Tammy
By the time they get here…
Tammy
It will be too late.
I hold the knife up to the phone.
Amanda
Or you’ll regret it!
Tammy
Oooo — a knife! How funny.
She slowly brings her knife into view.
It’s twice the size of mine.
My pulse kicks into overdrive.
She starts pounding on the door again…
Tammy
Looks like I’m going to have to get crafty.
And I run upstairs and into my bedroom closet.
Dylan
I just talked to the police—
Amanda
— She’s outside my house!
Amanda
She’s here, Dylan!
Amanda
She’s got a knife!
Amanda
Please tell me the police are coming!
I can barely hold the phone up.
Tears are streaming down my face…
And Dylan looks completely panicked.
Dylan
Yes, yes! They’re on their way.
Dylan
I told them to meet me at your house.
Amanda
Why is this happening?!
Amanda
Did she escape or something?!
Dylan
I don’t know the details yet.
Dylan
I’ll be there soon.
My phone beeps with Tammy’s number.
Amanda
She’s calling me again!
Amanda
I need to know where she is!
And I’m once again greeted by Tammy’s smiling face.
But this time, she’s standing in my bathroom…
Amanda
GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!
Tammy
Mmm, this is so good.
Tammy
A great cook too, huh?
Tammy
Aren’t you a catch.
Amanda
The police are coming—
Tammy
I haven’t had pizza in so long.
Tammy
The last time was with Dylan.
Tammy
We ate it together, in bed.
She leans in and raises her brows.
I look away from the phone, sick to my stomach.
Amanda
I didn’t do anything to you!
Tammy
He took everything from me!
And heads for the stairs.
Tammy
Now where are you hiding?
She walks into my guest bedroom…
I watch as she flings open the closet.
Tammy
But I think I’m getting closer.
She drags her knife through my winter clothes hanging there…
I stand and put my back against the closet door…
Knowing she’s going to find me any minute.
Amanda
You don’t want to do this!
Amanda
Just leave, and we can pretend this never happened!
She opens the master bedroom door…
Holding her own knife up.
Tammy
Dylan not only broke my heart…
Tammy
But he took away my freedom!
She starts heading for the closet…
I close my eyes — utterly terrified.
Tammy
And now, I’m going to take something from him.
She’s right in front of the closet door.
And I grab it from the inside.
She pulls, and I fight to keep it closed.
Tammy
Come on, let me in.
Tammy
Make this easy on yourself.
She raises the knife and stabs the closet door.
I jump, and lose my grip on the knob.
It gives her the second she needs…
And the next thing I know…
The door is open and she’s in front of me.
And I drop my phone, and scream.
Dylan
Come on, Amanda, pick up!
On the fourth ring, her phone picks up.
Dylan
Amanda, I’m five minutes away—
Tammy
You’re just as handsome as ever.
She scans the phone down her body.
I take in the blood on her face and clothes…
And my heart drops into my stomach.
Dylan
OH GOD, WHAT DID YOU DO?!
Tammy
You better hurry over and find out!
Tammy
Your dinner’s getting cold.
