I entered a state of weightlessness after taking my last breath. My world faded to black until it bloomed with stars.

Then a red phone booth emerged. Its walls were pure glass, like an enclosure at a zoo.

“You are allowed one phone call before your soul is taken to heaven or hell,” A voice from beyond instructed. “Choose wisely.”

Her phone number entered my mind. It was one that took only a day for me to memorize. As soon as I was introduced to her gorgeous laugh, her sky blue eyes, and her flowing blonde hair, I thought I was done for. We’d gotten to know each other, and I was proved to be right. My devotion led me to give up this sorry life of mine. She deserved this call more than anyone.

“Hello?”

“Katrina?” My hands trembled, even as I gripped the phone harder.

“Jessie?” She gasped. “How…how is this happening?”

“I was granted one last conversation before my judgement day. You were the first person on my mind.”

Sobs responded through the receiving end. I couldn’t help shedding a few tears myself. “Why did you do it, Jessie? There were other donors, other options! Your lifespan was short enough as it is!”

I looked down at my legs, confined to a wheelchair even after death. “The wait list was too long, sweetheart. I couldn’t watch you suffer.”

The sobs turned to wails.

“Katrina, you loved me despite my condition. That half of my lung was my way of repaying you for the many years you’ve taken care of me.”

Her voice broke, shattered against the weight of pain. “You don’t need to pay me back! Love isn’t transactional!”

Everything inside me ripped at its loose seams. What can I do to make her see where I’m coming from? What can I do to stop those tears?

“I was going to ask you to marry me, you know,” Katrina sniffled.

I stuttered out my response. “You…you were? R-Really?”

“Yes, Jessie! I had everything planned out. I would take you to your favorite restaurant, carry you up the stairs of the highest building to watch the sunset. Now, I’m going to be alone all because of you!”

“Katrina, my love, I—“

_Click…_

She hung up.

I let the phone fall from my hands. The floor of the phone booth opened below me, sending me to a fiery pool of flames.

Perhaps, after breaking Katrina, I truly deserved eternal damnation.