The Orphan Club

A Random Visit: Matty's return

"I can't believe they just booked a flight and left in one day!" Laurel says as she applies some black goo on my face. "How does that feel?"

"Umm, it's a bit sticky." And smells really bad but it's fine, we just became friends, let me not start that off by criticizing her skincare recommendations. "And yeah, they are always like that. Even if a thought just crosses their brain it needs to be executed."

"Good for them!" She nods her head. "Okay, you are all done. Now just let it dry for 30ish minutes. Try not to smile." 30 minutes! Just let me look old.

"Okay," I say. To kill time both Laurel and I start scrolling on our phones. Laurel is looking for a movie for us to watch, while I decompose my brain with cute dog videos. I am just about to watch a dog jump out of a pool of water and run into someone's pristine house when a phone call interrupts. Matty's name flashes on my screen. I smile and answer.

"Hello," I hear Matty's tired voice on the other side.

"Hello, which timezone are you calling from? You sound like a zombie." I comment.

"Actually in yours. I am in the city but your sister and mine are MIA. I need a place to stay." He yawns.

"Oh um–"

"Why? Are you not in the city either?" He asks.

"I am but I won't be free today. Right now I am at Laurel's for a girl's afternoon, and then I am going to Jersey to see Austin." I hurriedly say.

"Who the hell is Laurel?"

"Your brother's girlfriend!" I say in whispers, through gritted teeth. How does he not know?

"Oh, that's still going on?"

"Yes,"  I roll my eyes. "Unlike you, your brother has turned over a new leaf." I smile at Laurel who is still scrolling, her very hot pink nails hitting the screen loud and dedicated.

"Whatever. So you're not coming back to the city?" He asks, no tone of curiosity but urgency. He needs somewhere to be tonight.

"Maybe not. We haven't decided." I say.

"When are you going back? Maybe you can just let me in before you go?" He suggests.

"Where are you right now?"

"I am on a bus. I should be getting into the city by six."

"Fine. I don't leave till seven. Just come to my apartment!" I agree.

"Perfect! Thank you! I owe you. I'll be out of your hair by early tomorrow!"  He hung up. I click my tongue but put my phone away.

"Matthew?" Laurel emerges from her phone and asks.

"Yup. He needs a place to stay tonight."

"I thought you were going to see Austin."

"I am, but it is easier to come back to the city from Hoboken, so maybe I'll just come home."

"Alone?" Alright Laurel, relax. This is our first time hanging out alone and even though you are nice, you don't need to know if I am having sex tonight or not.

"Maybe. It all depends."

"On?"

"Lots of things," I vaguely say.

"Like if you want to spend the night with Matty or not?" She raises her eyebrows at me. "Sorry, don't mean to overstep"—Well you certainly are doing a very bad job at it—"it's just at Christmas. It seems the two of you had some history."

"Nope. Nothing. We are just friends." No need to explain more. Plus there is nothing to explain. The last time we talked, Matty made it clear he didn't want anything serious, and practically told me to date Austin, so that's what I am doing. Dating Austin. That's why tonight I was going to go to one of the clubs he sings at. To be supportive. That's what girlfriends do right? The first and last time I was someone's girlfriend, I was only that for about three months before I became his wife. So this was new for me, but I am going to try my very best. I won't use the excuses that Matty uses with Mac. Excuses such as I am not ready. I can't be with anyone I can get serious about. I am too screwed up...Blah blah blah.