This has been a nervous week for Eric.

A couple of weeks ago, he met in passing his first girlfriend. They chatted for a few friendly moments, catching up. She had a button pinned to her cap; a small, red button with a bright blue “1.”

“What’s with the button?” he asked.

“Found it somewhere. Thought it was cool.”

Not long after that, he met his current girlfriend for dinner. He gave her a smooch and they settled in, doffing winter layers. Her scarf had a small button pinned to the end; purple with a green “6.”

Eric tallied the notches in his bedpost and shivered. “What’s with the button?” he asked casually.

“Found it somewhere. Thought it was cool.”

This has been a nervous week for Eric.

Monday, on his way to work, a pretty stranger flashed him a smile; a small yellow button with a black “11” pinned to the strap of her backpack.