The End of the Innocence
Page 20
A look through the window near the front door revealed Donna standing outside. He opened the door to let her in. “Hi.”
“Hi, Matthew,” she said while she stepped away from the door. “I drove by earlier; I know you have company for the wedding tomorrow. I hoped people would be gone by now so I could talk to you before I left tomorrow for vacation.”
“They’re all still downstairs,” he said and motioned over toward the door to the basement rec room. “I can spare a couple of minutes, but then I should get back down there.”
“Is Melissa here?” Donna asked.
“Yes; her sister is getting married. Her mother is here, and so are Tim and Patti. Tim’s dad works the garage area; has for years. There’re a few other folks … relatives …”
“Look.” She stepped closer. A noise from the hallway made her pause. Matthew heard it and stepped over to peek around the corner, but no one seemed to be there. “I’m not comfortable going away without settling things between us,” Donna said
A confused look washed over Matthew’s face. “I don’t understand.”
He scratched his head. “We’ve been apart all this time, and all of a sudden, right before you go away, you have a huge issue with us being apart, when for the last month or so you’ve been just fine. I fail to see the sudden urgency. When all of this mattered to me, and it ended because of the decisions I made and where we disagreed, you were steadfast on your reasons, and I had to accept them. You approach me on this now, I ask for time to finish thinking things through in an effort to start over, and you seem unwilling to give me what I’m asking for. Seems to me like you’re not willing to make a compromise here when one’s already been given to you.”
Matthew stepped away and looked at Donna, who looked upset.
“What are you so afraid of?” he asked.
“I don’t want to wait.” She stepped closer to him. “I made a mistake, breaking things off, and I want to correct that.” Matthew backed up into the sofa, and Donna stepped into him then reached up to kiss him. “I don’t want to lose you.”
“All right,” he said while grabbing her arms gently to move her away.
“This is what I mean; you could have ‘lost me’ at any point over the last month. We finished, and you could have gone with anyone or I could have. I asked for total truth between us … no more secrets. There has to be a reason for this sudden concern and fear of yours.” Matthew paced her away a step, and then backed into the couch again.
“I just feel that with everything that’s gone on with you and Liz, whatever her issues were, and I honestly don’t want to know, that someone might prey on your empathy and take advantage of the situation.” Donna tried to step forward.
“I don’t feel I’m easily manipulated, but let’s say for the moment that I’m somewhat susceptible; Liz wouldn’t take advantage.”
“Liz is less of my concern,” Donna said.
“Well then, who is? Whom are you concerned with?” Matthew asked.
“Melissa.” Donna looked away and into the hallway.
“Why would she suddenly be a concern? I’ve known her for seven years, and she’s never expressed an interest beyond friends. There’s always
been a little something, but we’ve written it off as boy, girl, sexual tension. If she had a true romantic interest, you’d think I would have seen it before now.
Even if something was there, why would she manipulate the situation? And how would she?” Matthew moved away from the back of the couch and paced.
“You’re emotionally stressed out; we all see it. Whatever you went through with Liz, it has affected you, whether you want to admit it or not.
Anyone who would play into your state knows that, and is trying to take advantage of the situation.”
Matthew thought about Donna’s words for a moment, and then turned to her. “Someone on the outside looking in might charge you with the same thing. You seem gung ho on restarting things before you leave as if there was some imperative to lock in your status.”
“We dated for months; that’s not my character,” Donna said.
“And it’s not Melissa’s either, but it’s drawn your concerns all of a sudden. Excuse me for not knowing what to believe anymore. From the precedent that’s been my life, women haven’t given me the fairest shake, and that goes all the way back to my mother.”
Donna moved closer to Matthew again. “I’m sorry about all that; truly I am. I never wanted what we had with anyone else. I’ve never wanted the things I wanted with you with anyone else. I was prepared to give you everything … things I never have with anyone else, but with you, I was ready.”
“I remember,” Matthew said softly. “If all those things are that special and sentimental, then no amount of time or alternate situation will make a difference. My head isn’t clear of everything that’s transpired, and I have far too much going on this week to think clearly. After next Saturday, when I close the store at the end of the week, and my Dad gets home, I can start to wrap my head back around things like this.”
Donna stopped her progression and looked at him sadly.
“I’m not going to beg for the time from you or feel bad taking it; you needed your space, and I gave it to you. Now I’m asking for my own. I’ll take it whether you’re happy with it or not,” he said.
Donna sniffed and looked down. “Okay,” she said. “Can I call you once during the week while I’m gone? So I can hear your voice?”
“Sure,” Matthew said. “It’s an expensive long-distance call, so it’ll have to be a short one.”
“I understand,” she said. “I’m not even sure if my Dad will let me use the phone, even if I offer to pay for the call.”
“Let’s see how the week goes, but sure, if the timing works and it’s not super expensive, a short call is fine.” Matthew reached over to rub her arm.
Donna leaned forward and into his chest. Instinctively, he wrapped his arms around her. After a short while, Matthew moved her a step back and let her go. He looked at her and used his fingers to brush her long bangs away from her eyes.
“Look, I need to get back downstairs,” he said, turning his head slightly.
“I know,” she said in a hushed tone.
“Have a safe trip,” he said, still touching her face.
“Please, kiss me goodbye, Matthew,” she said in a whisper. “I want to remember you on my lips.”
Matthew leaned in and kissed her.
***
The front door closed, and Matthew entered the kitchen, where he grabbed a bag of chips from the counter and headed down the stairs.
Melissa stepped out of the dark dining room and over to the front window. Donna’s car had already gone. She turned, sat on the first stair that lead up to Matthew’s bedroom, and lowered her head.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
The last of the wedding guests left with Teresa and her husband.
Mark turned to his bride, who sat on the living room couch next to her mother, and shook his head. “Man, we only had about thirty people; these folks that have receptions for two hundred plus … I have no idea how they manage.”
John Cafferty leaned back in his seat and looked over at Matthew.
Karen came back in the room with Melissa and sat on the couch. “Did Tim leave already?” John asked, looking about.
“Yes, Mr. Cafferty.” Melissa turned to him. “He’s taking Patti home.”
“So, Dad,” Matthew said with a smile. “Now that you’re all married and everything, what are your plans?”
Mark said, “Well, I thought that maybe the Bride and I could take a little drive tomorrow, it being Sunday and all.” He looked over at her. “Have a little something to eat somewhere … not sure where. Not too far for certain; Monday, it’s just back to the grind.”
“What if I told you it wasn’t?” Matthew said, getting up and walking into the dining room.
“It wasn’t what? Sunday?” Mark asked. “What’s he talking about?”
“Sport,” Mark said. “I told you that getting us a gift wasn’t necessary.”
“What kind of kid would I be if I continually listened to you?”
Matthew said with a grin.
“Continually?” Mark said, echoing the humor while Diane unwrapped the box.
“Let’s agree on ‘slightly above average’ before you wreck happy sentiments.” Matthew rubbed his hands. Mark winked at him.
Diane looked over the folded paperwork in the small, decorative box.
“It’s a room on the shore in Virginia Beach.”
Mark looked over the paperwork. “It’s a suite … for the whole week?”
Melissa smiled at her mother. “I’m so excited for them.”
“This is very … thoughtful … Matthew, but we can’t be away for the whole week,” Diane said.
“Actually, you can,” John said. “Tim’s going to help me in the garage a little extra, so that’s covered. Sandwich kiosk guy is all closed up, and he’s taken the last of his things out of there. Matthew and I will work in there on Monday, scrubbing everything down; it’s not like it’s going to rent to someone new this week.”
“I took time off from work,” Melissa said, and then walked over to Diane. “I’m going to help Matthew with the front counter. Peter will take an extra two shifts.”
“I already lined up all the deliveries for this week and set all the ones for next week,” Matthew said, walking to the near side of the sectional. “I’ll spend Monday verifying all the garage appointments for the week that we have, and I have all the openings that are available; I can book new calls with Mr. Cafferty, and he can help me make sure we’re not overbooked.”
“What about the new lottery terminal installation?” Mark asked.
“I called the lottery division and confirmed the appointment for Tuesday.”
Mark looked at Diane. “Guess they don’t need us.” He shrugged.
“The smart thing to do is go pack and get ready to drive.”
Diane stood and hugged Melissa. “Thank you for this wonderful gift,”
she said, looking over Melissa’s shoulder to Matthew. “Thank you, John, for helping Matthew.” Diane pulled away from Melissa and looked at her. “You too, Missy; thank you for taking the time off to work with Matthew.”
Mark stood and extended his hand to his son. “Thank you, sport; it’s a wonderful and thoughtful gift for us.” He shook his son’s hand, and then
pulled him in to hug him tightly. After a moment, he pulled away. “If there are any issues …”
“We can handle them. I can turn to Mr. Cafferty and Karen for any help I need.”
“Mom?” Melissa asked.
“Of course, absolutely,” Karen said.
Mark moved aside so Diane could come over. Once she did, she hugged Matthew tightly. Matthew looked over her shoulder to Melissa, who wiped a tear away from her eye. “I can’t believe you were able to set this all up, arrange everything, all the help and what not, and keep it a surprise.”
“I have great friends,” he said, still looking at Melissa. “The best in the world.”
***
Late evening came, and the last of the company left. Melissa stood at the front door with her mother while Matthew leaned back on the couch and closed his eyes.
“Are you coming home with me or will you have Matthew bring you later?” Karen asked.
“I can bring her,” Matthew called out from the couch. Melissa didn’t answer and smiled to her mother.
“Not too late, okay? Diane and Mark are going to leave around eight or so, and I wanted to swing by in the morning.” Karen reached up to touch Melissa’s cheek. Melissa covered her mother’s hand with hers and pressed them both to her face. Karen leaned in and kissed her on the forehead.
Melissa walked out onto the front porch and watched her mother get into her car. She stayed there and looked on as her mom pulled away and drove down South Cherry, part of the two blocks to the apartment, until she couldn’t see the car any longer. Melissa took a deep breath and went back into the house.
She closed the front door quietly and moved around the couch to where Matthew sat. He had one foot down on the floor and one up on the
coffee table in front of him. Melissa looked at him resting and wondered how he could be comfortable in such a position. She untied both of his shoes and slipped them off. Then she moved his feet and legs over until they lay on the couch.
“What are you doing?” Matthew asked, groggy with fatigue.
“Trying to get you a little more comfortable; you certainly didn’t look like you were,” she said softly.
“I’m fine,” he said, nodding back off.
Melissa lifted him slightly, sat next to him, and lowered his head onto her lap. “Are you sleeping again?” she asked.
“No … still awake,” Matthew said without opening his eyes.
“I meant to ask you,” she said. “Who stopped by last night? When the doorbell rang, you came up to see who it was.” Melissa ran her fingers across Matthew’s forehead and brushed his hair away.
“Oh,” he said. “It was Donna; she stopped by before she left. She went off today … vacation.”
“Ah,” Melissa said, still running her fingers over his forehead and into his hair. “That was it?”
“No,” he said as he began to drift off again. “She wanted to talk about things again … us …”
“You and me, or her and you?” Melissa said, smiling a little.
“Us … her and me …”
Melissa took in a deep breath. “I thought you told me the two of you weren’t together again yet, and you were still thinking it over. Did that change?”
“No.” Matthew moved slightly and tucked himself under the edge of the blanket. Melissa reached over to the Afghan and spread it over him. “She and I … there’s a lot to discuss. Then …”
Melissa waited a moment to see if he would continue, but Matthew had fallen back to sleep. She nudged him.
“What?” he asked.
“You were saying that there was a lot to discuss with Donna?” she asked quietly, looking over to the hallway and toward the master bedroom.
“She’s pushing too hard. Something doesn’t make sense to me.”
Hearing Matthew say that Donna was pushing too hard made her uncomfortable, and she stopped asking him questions. Matthew fell completely back to sleep.
Melissa sat with him for a short while, and then worked her way off the couch. When she got up, she grabbed Matthew’s shoes and walked around the couch with them.
Diane stepped over from the hallway.
“I thought I heard someone,” Melissa whispered to her, still holding Matthew’s shoes.
“I heard you talking and didn’t want to interrupt,” Diane said. “I know I said this before, and that you brushed this off as mainly Matthew’s doing, but I wanted to thank you for the wedding gift. Our family has never had a lot of money … but thoughtfulness and time; we have that in abundance. Matthew would have done this anyway without your help, but you made it easier for him. That’s your contribution.”
Melissa looked back at Matthew asleep on the couch. “Honestly?
Once he was done laying the whole thing out, I felt excited to agree to help him for selfish reasons.” Melissa turned back to her sister and could feel warmth rise to her face. “Initially, when he was talking about it, I felt so happy to be a part of his gift to the two of you. Once I realized I was thinking of me, I became embarrassed about that. It was supposed to be about, and for, you and Mark.”
“Hey,” Diane said softly, wrapping her arms around her and hugging her. “There’s nothing wrong in getting a little fringe benefit of your own from a good deed for someone else.” Diane let go and pulled away to look at Melissa. “You’re looking forward
to spending the majority of this next week with him.”
Melissa turned to look at Matthew again. “I am; I feel like that first
time I kissed him on the playground. I was so mad at him at the time.
Afterward, the kiss was all I could think about.” Melissa turned to her sister.
“It’s funny; I remember thinking that day that Liz would be my ‘arch-enemy’
regarding Matthew. In small ways, she has been an antagonistic complication, but she’s becoming the ‘friend’ in the ‘enemy of my enemy’
department.”
“Try not to let too much of the high school drama set in this week,”
Diane said. “I know it’s hard to be objective in the middle of it all and at your age, but think of it in the best ways you can. That helps minimize things. You have this wonderful opportunity to spend a lot of time with Matthew. That exposure and experience allow you to see all the different sides of him; what you like and maybe some things you don’t. It’s a rare opportunity to get to know someone deep down.” She leaned into her ear. “It’s been wonderful learning so much about Mark, but just being with him and observing everything. I hope you have the same chance with Matthew. In my heart, I believe he’s your match.”
Melissa drew backward a little to look at her sister. “I think that’s what I feel … I just can’t know to be sure.”
“No one does. I didn’t know Mark was my match, my partner, my other half to my whole, until I realized that the times away, the days off from work and the Sundays, they made me feel less complete.”
“Doesn’t that frighten you? To be so lost in someone like that?”
Melissa asked.
“Lost?” Diane said with a smile, and then reached up to touch Melissa’s face. “I found my true self there in the company of someone who has only allowed me to grow beyond my personally-preconceived limitations.
It’s because of the love, hope, and faith of my partner that I have gotten further than I ever could have on my own. He showed me the way and said, in so many words, ‘you can do it.’ Because of that, I could.”
Melissa took her sister’s hand in hers and stepped aside to turn and watch Matthew sleep.