Page 23 of Then Came the Fall
“I Uber, though. And I made sure the appointments are all before Brett gets off the school bus.”
“Right.” I push a sudden onslaught of intrusive thoughts out of my head. “She’s lovely, by the way.”
“Thank you. I hope she was good for you. I honestly didn’t mean to put you in that situation. I think my body just succumbed to myexhaustion once I knew you were coming over. Like, my adrenaline must have plummeted because I knew help was on the way.”
I roll over onto my side. “It’s no problem, really.”
“Also, it’s kind of embarrassing. The house and everything.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s small. And not as clean as we would typically have it if we knew we had company coming.”
It strikes me, the idea of being thought of as “company.” I’m processing that when he continues.
“Brett said she enjoyed spending time with you.”
“Really? That’s sweet.”
“She actually asked me if you would be coming back to visit her again.”
“Seriously?” I smile.
“Yeah. So,” he pauses, clearing his throat, “we wanted to invite you over again. But this time, I promise to stay awake. I’d like to make it up to you.”
My insides twist up like a balloon animal. “You don’t owe me anything. But I’d be happy to spend more time with her. When would be good for you?”
“Anytime, really. I don’t really have much of a social calendar right now.”
“Tonight?”Idiot! Too soon. What is wrong with you?
“Sure. Tonight would be great.”
“I get out of work at 7:30, but sometimes I don’t actually leave until a little after that. I should be able to get to your house by no later than 8:30. Is that too late?”
“That’s fine. Brett should be asleep by then, but she never is. I’m not very good with bedtimes, unfortunately.”
“What can I bring?”
“Nothing. I’ll order food. Chinese okay? Shrimp and broccoli?”
My favorite.“Perfect. I’m surprised you remember.”
He’s quiet for a second. “I remember, Taylor.” Matt swallows. “I remember everything.”
The comment fills my chest and head with sudden pressure. “See you later, then. Thanks again,” I manage to say.I love you.The words almost fall from my lips, like lyrics to a song I long ago memorized but only recently rediscovered.
“Bye,” Matt replies, before my mouth gets the better of me.
The day goes on in a fog as I absent-mindedly set about my morning routine. By the time I get to work, my stomach is fully in knots. I speak to Jessica in the car, but our chat is unsuccessful in calming my nerves.
“What exactly do youwantout of this?” Jessica asks. It’s not the first time she’s pressed me on this issue. Still, the question echoes in my mind throughout my workday.What do I want? Other than a time machine?
On the way to Matt’s house that night I swing by CVS to pick up an animal-themed coloring book and a box of crayons for Brett.
I knock on the peeling blue door for the third time in a week, only this time, I’m greeted by a distant, “Come in!” I open the door to find Brett curled up on the couch with Velveteen watching the Disney channel on television. She straightens up and smiles.
“Hi, Brett,” I say.
