Lights, Camera, Rumblefish!

Chapter 30

Ch. 30
I turned over and squinted to see the alarm clock. 11:04am. Matt was still asleep. I rubbed his back and his arm.
"We have to get up," I said. He didn't do anything.
"Babe, come on. You're family's going to be here any minute," I said. He rolled over.
"Matt."
"What?"
"We have to wake up," I said.
"Why?"
"Your family's gonna be here any minute. And I have to shower so you need to set things up."
"I need to shower too," he said.
"Well,-"
"Should we just save money on water? Take one together?"
"If it's for the water bill-"
"It's for the water bill."
*****
"So, Essie, have you thought about children in the future?" Matt's mother said, putting her mug on the counter and wiping her hands on her apron.
"Uh; I've thought about it," I said.
"And?"
"Maybe. I don't know. I think it depends on where I'm going. Career wise," I said.
"Matt! Honey! Can you come here?" His mother shouted. He came running out of the bedroom and into the kitchen.
"Yes, Ma?"
"Do you have a minute?"
"Uh... Yeah. I do. What's going on?" He said, sitting at the bar next to me.
"What's this about not having children?" She asked.
"No, I-" I started.
"What are you talking about, Ma?"
"Essie says she might not want kids," she said.
"No, I said-"
"Essie, is that true?" He asked me. I sighed.
"No. I don't know if I want kids."
"We know Matthew does," his mother said.
"Yeah. I'd kind of want a couple."
"Oh my god, we're not getting into this argument on Christmas."
"Why not? Resolve everything here?" She said.
"Because I look like the bad guy if I don't want kids."
"Honestly Essie, it's very surprising to see that it's the woman that doesn't want the kids."
"Both of us want careers. I don't see anything wrong with that," I said.
"Yes but whose career is already on track?" She said and walked away. I sighed.
"Listen, don't let her get to you like that, okay? She's just desperate."
"Yeah, so are you. God, are you milking your mother? Kissing her ass? Trying to make me look like the bad guy?"
"No, are you kidding?! She just wants grand kids that's all," he said.
"Maybe I don't want any kids."
"We'll talk later."
*****
Christmas passed and New Years rose. Rob, Emilio, and Cruise all came back for New Years and helped Matt pack for the center. The day came. He was to be sent off. He didn't want us coming with him. He wanted the cab to pick him up and let him go. So we woke up early in the morning, Cruise made breakfast, and I was wide awake from when someone turned on the lights to when Cruise walked into the bedroom. Matt had already gotten up and was in the kitchen. I was the only one left.
"Rise and shine, beautiful. Breakfast is on the table and the car'll be here soon," Cruise said. I didn't move. I just blinked.
"What's wrong, darlin?" He sat on the bed next to my knees.
"It's just today... Today's gonna be hard," I said.
"That's right. It is. Today'll be very hard. You'll be fine..." He kissed my cheek and squeezed my hand.
"Is he alright?" I asked.
"Smoked a whole pack just this morning," he said.
"God... He's gonna be sick...."
"Already is. Why don't you get up?"
"I will. I'll take a quick shower then I'll meet you all out there," I said.
"Alright."
I got up once he left and peeled my clothes off, turning to water to cold to wake me up. Then to hot after a little while. Someone knocked on the bathroom door.
"What?" I asked.
"Can I come in?" It was Matt.
"Sure." The door opened.
"Cruise has breakfast on the table, baby. You should eat something," he said.
"I will."
"The cab's here," he said. I peaked out from behind the shower curtain.
"I thought it was coming at 8."
"It came early... I already put all my stuff in the car. I just need to tell you bye," he said.
"Matt, no, not when I look like this. I can't-" he grabbed the back of my neck and kissed me.
"I'll call when I get the chance," he said. I bit my lip.
"Look, it's only for two months, baby. Two months..."
"Two months is a while."
"It is. But we can do it. If we can get through two months now, imagine what four months will be in the future."
"Don't say that."
"60 days. That's all." I sighed.
"I love you..." I said.
"I love you too... Look, I'm sorry about all this shit that's been going on. With me, and your mom and your dad and your heart. This wasn't how the plan was suppose to go."
"When does everything go according to the plan?" He smiled.
"Never."
"I have to go. I'll see you in February, okay?"
"Okay."
"Goodbye," he said, wiping a tear off my cheek. He kissed me again, this time digging his fingers in my back.
"Goodbye."
He shut the door behind him.