I have this friend who is like a chosen brother. He’s had a rough life and has a hard time maintaining relationships, so we go through long periods of estrangement. Just when I think he’s gone for good, fucker shows up to my college graduation, or is on the other line while I’m getting dumped.

His phone numbers change a lot, so our only sure form of communication is Facebook Messenger. For years I’ve accidentally sent that jackass thumbs-up symbol when I check to see if he has messaged me. It’s embarrassing.

I figured out how to change the reaction to a cactus. This man loves cactus. Cactuses. He won’t use cacti, that word isn’t fun. But anyway it has been a long standing inside joke.

I woke up to about 50 cactus emojis and nothing else. I sent one back. He sent one to me. He did call me the other day (right after I got out of the ER, his timing is so eerie), so I know I’m on his mind, and there’s no telling how long it will last.

But now I can accidentally send a cactus instead of a pathetic “like” icon.

🌵🌵🌵🌵🌵🌵🌵🌵🌵🌵🌵🌵🌵