He nods, eyes lighting up even more. “And foryoutoo. I told them about how you were fired unjustly, and they’re probably going to offer you your old job back.”
I try to match his energy, try to smile, but it must not land. His face falls a little.
“I thought you’d like that,” he says, almost tentative now.
“I thought so too,” I admit, setting the knife down. “But… I like the agency. I get to stay local. And, bonus, there’s an ‘end call’ button for the assholes.” I try to make it sound like a joke.
But Matthew stills. “You made a whole thing about wanting your career, and now you’re saying no?”
I notice the shift in his tone, small, but sharp enough to cut through the earlier joy.
“Idowant to work,” I say carefully. “But that doesn’t mean I want to jet off across the country right now. Especially while Penny’s so young.”
He nods a little too fast. “Of course.”
I narrow my eyes. “What?”
He shrugs. “Nothing.”
“Matthew.” I press. “Honesty, remember?”
He exhales slowly. “I just… don’t want you to regret it. Like you said, you can’t just go back whenever you want.”
I nod, because that’s still true. But I also know something else. “Yeah. But being a flight attendant isn’t something I feel like I can do right now.”
He goes quiet for a second, the energy that was buzzing off him earlier finally settling. Then he says softly, “If that’s something you’ve thought about and decided… then alright.”
His tone isn’t disappointed exactly, just cautious, like he’s testing the words.
I exhale slowly, tension I didn’t even know I was holding slipping out of my shoulders. “Yeah. I have.”
He nods once, a little more firmly this time, then reaches for the refrigerator, pulling out the butter. “Then that’s what matters,” he says simply.
I shake my head lightly, trying to shrug off the small, twisting pit in my stomach. It can’t be a good sign that
“So,” I say, keeping my voice even, “I’m gonna drop her off in the morning and you can pick her up?”
He nods. “That works.”
I offer a small smile, and we fall into an easy rhythm, soft conversation, small talk, moving around the kitchen. Things between us finally feel like they’re starting to settle.
I’m not naïve enough to think we won’t fight again. We will. Probably soon. But the fact that he’s learning to step away from his own noise, tothinkbefore reacting. gives me something I haven’t felt in a while. Relief.
I wish I could say the same for my friends.
Becks has been quiet lately, quieter than usual, and that’s never a good sign. Sheera’s still walking on eggshells around her husband, trying to hold everything together with frayed fingers. And Zara… Zara’s ex has decided he wants her back. It’s complicated for her, still having feelings, but knowing she can’t trust him.
As for Ursula, she’s taken a step back. She gave up her daughter, and no matter how right that decision was, being around newborns can’t be easy. So, we’ve given her space. We still text her, remind her we’re here, but we don’t push.
It’s strange, how everyone’s lives are shifting at once.
I wonder what the future will hold for my friends.
Matthew
I clear my throat, rubbing my knees. Then, with more energy than sense, I spring up and walk over to the window overlooking the street.
Dr. Bart stays silent on the sofa. It’s strange having himhere, in the apartment I call home. But I figured if I invited my mom to the community centre, she’d catch on and never show up. So, the only logical move? Blindside her.
