“That sounds amazing!” Matty said with a big grin. “The weather in California is nice and all, but there are so many people. It takes ages to drive anywhere; and when you do get to where you are going, it’s hard to enjoy it as there is always a huge crowd. To be honest, for me, the weather is really the only good thing about living there.” I perked up at that bit of info, noting that Molly was not considered a good thing. Speaking of which:
“There you two are!” Molly exclaimed as she rushed towards our table. “I thought you guys had just up and left completely, which would have been so rude!” With a bit of nervous laugh, Molly sat down next to Matthew and said, “So, what’s the gossip? What are you two talking about so intently? I hope Leah isn’t telling you about all of the scandalous trouble we got into during college!”
“Just old times,” I said, wondering if Molly believed we had spent any time, scandalous or otherwise, together in college or if she was just being her usual bitchy self. I decided the latter was likely correct.
“Not just old times; the best times” Matthew replied. “As hard as my last two years of high school were, I am remembering how amazing the first two were, as well as how awesome middle school was. I am so glad I came and reconnected with Leah. Although I still can’t believe she’s here!” Matty gave me a genuine smile, which I reciprocated, fully aware that Molly was looking at us with annoyance.
“Aw, isn’t that cute?” said Molly, making no attempt to hide the distain in her voice. “Well, babe, I am actually going to head out with a few of the girls, if you don’t mind; I’ve made my rounds and am done with this crowd. So, if you want to come along, you can; or I could drop you back off at the hotel?” The tone of her voice made it clear she would rather leave Matthew behind to go party with her friends.
“Actually, I think I will stay here and keep catching up with Leah, if that’s all right? Leah can give me a ride back, I’m sure; right Leah?” Matty asked.
“Of course,” I said, not able to suppress my huge grin. “I’m assuming you’re staying at The Roosevelt?”
“Yup, only decent hotel in this town,” Molly interrupted, looking a little irked that Matthew was staying because of me. “Well, if you’re sure you don’t mind me leaving, then, I guess I’ll see you later back at the hotel, Matt?”
“Sure, see you la-,” Matthew was cut off as Molly swooped down and planted a full-on kiss on his lips. I turned away and tried not to gag. And no one has ever called him Matt, at least not during the five years that I had known him growing up. Who did Molly think she was? “Matt” - give me a break!
“Okay, you two; have fun catching up and don’t say anything bad about me!” Molly got up, steadying herself on her too-high heels before walking back towards the country club.
“Oh, Molly! Never, ever would we say anything bad about you!” I exclaimed with a look of fake concern on my face that she would ever think such a thing, suddenly feeling embolden to match her bitchiness. “Have a great time out with the girls; bye-bye!” I waved her off and listened to the click-clack of her heels on the decking as she headed back inside the country club. She turned back to look at us one more time, and I gave her another loud, “Bye-bye, Molly” before turning my full attention back to Matthew.
“I’m not sure I want to know what is up between you two,” Matthew said with a nervous laugh.
“Oh, just college drama; no big deal,” I answered, determined to steer the conversation away from Molly. Now that she was gone, I was feeling more confident. She had ruined enough of my life during my college years; I was not going to let her steal the joy of reconnecting with Matty away from me, too.
Matthew smiled and signaled the waiter over. “Let’s get something else to drink, at least to wash away the taste of these horrible SallySchnapps.”
As we sipped on our new beverages – white wine for me, a beer for him – Matthew and I started filling in more of the blanks from our years apart. I briefed him on our friends from high school, many of whom never left our hometown of Springville or had moved back after their own college graduations to work and start families. I avoided talking about my own junior and senior years of high school as I just did not want to relive them. I could tell that he wanted to hear more about my high school experience from after he had left, but I think he sensed that I did not want to talk about that time in my life. For me, those years had been miserable as I dealt with the aftermath of Matty moving on top of the already turbulent emotions of being a teenager.
Matty told me about majoring in accounting in college, at the insistence of his parents, so that he would be able to join his dad’s company after graduation. However, he dreaded the thought of spending his days crunching numbers; so, when he was hired at his dad’s firm, it was to run their charitable arm, much of which was centered around children. His dad had been furious, of course; but Matty had stayed strong and told his dad that if he didn’t like it, that there were other companies interested in hiring him.
“That’s why I’m out of touch, I guess,” Matty said. “I know most people are on social media, but because I work with children, I’m not allowed to be on any of those sites.”
“Oh, that makes sense,” I
