You can wait here. Mats motions to a couple of plastic chairs in the tiny lobby.
But I hate sitting around, especially when I’m nervous. Could I shadow you instead? I wouldn’t mind seeing the animals.
He shrugs in reply, but I take that for a yes and follow him down a dim hallway. Mats grabs a towel and wipes down a wriggling Bruno, who can’t stay still even for a millisecond.
He loves the attention, I say.
Yeah, he’s into people. I’m sure he’ll get adopted quickly, Mats replies. He opens a heavy door and loud barking can be heard. I follow them into the dog area where there are large cages. When Mats opens the door of one cage, Bruno looks up at him with eyes wide and one ear drooping. Are you putting me back in jail?
Sure, buddy. Break my heart every time, why don’t you? grumbles Mats.
He has a very expressive face. I scratch Bruno on the head and he gives me a hopeful look, his tongue lolling out again. I don’t know how you can work here and not want to adopt all the animals.
Mats nods and fastens Bruno’s door shut. Now is a slow time for adoptions, and many of our animals are in foster. But there’s someone coming in this week who might be a good fit with Bruno, so he’s here. He’s not that happy about it, though.
I look over the other three dogs, all of whom look healthy and energetic. Mats picks up a broom and starts sweeping the hallway.
Let me do that, I offer, and reach out to grab it. Our hands touch and there’s the shock of warm accidental contact. I shake off the sensation. This is Roy Matsumoto, for fuck’s sake.
You don’t have to do anything. His voice is gruff as he turns away.
No, I insist. I’d rather make myself useful.
I sweep while Mats does something with clipboards and paperwork. Then he has me fold aging towels fresh from the dryer. After, we go over to the cat side of the building. There’s a large room with couches and cat trees, and cats lounging around. A friendly tabby rubs against me and flops down for tummy rubs.
It’s nice that they aren’t in cages, I say as I pet the cat. I can’t believe we’re chatting away so easily, but Mats seems more relaxed and friendly around animals.
There are cages too, but for new or injured cats, he explains as he straightens and tidies the room. He never passes a cat without giving it some attention. It’s oddly endearing.
Mats disappears into a back room and I can hear him talking to someone. A white cat comes over and now I’m scratching two furry bellies at once. I love this, and I start to imagine our house with Minnie zooming around.
I’m ready to go, Mats calls from the doorway.
Okay. Bye, guys. The cats blink at me. I get up and follow him out of the building. I look around the parking lot, but there’s only one old sedan here. Did you walk here?
Yeah. Do you want to go somewhere to talk, or can we do it as we walk back to campus? he asks.
Walking and talking is good. I prefer not to have to face Mats for this.
I dive in right away. Can you tell me what happened between you and Jordan last year?
Mats’s expression blanks like a door slamming shut. What do you mean—specifically?
I guess, what role did you play in his getting cut from the team?
Anything I do with the Athletic Council is completely confidential. Wow, I didn’t know that he could attain new levels of iciness. He sounds like a robot lawyer.
But I’m involved in this personally, I explain.
Then talk to your brother. Mats walks faster, like he can’t wait to get out of this conversation.
I have, but now I’m wondering if I got the full story. What if I tell you what he told me, and you can tell me your side?
For a second, Mats looks like he’s tempted. Then the shields go back up. Do you understand what the word confidential means? I can’t tell you anything about another student. Surely you’d appreciate this, if it was your own issue.
Whatever ease we’d had at the animal shelter is lost now. I’m sorry, I get it. I’ve spent most of my life looking out for my younger brother, and it’s hard to stop.
Mats doesn’t even respond to this, but, like Becks, I suspect that Jordan is not his favourite person.
