Page 9 of Written in the Stars
He chuckles nervously. “Thanks, bro. I wasn’t sure how you felt and I didn’t want to come off as an insensitive asshole.”
We line up, waiting for the chief. A few of the other guys are already here.
I place a hand on Matt’s shoulder. “Matt, you’re the furthest thing from an insensitive asshole. You’ve been here for me through it all. I couldn’t be mad at you if I tried. I want you to be happy, and I’m glad Valerie makes you feel the way you do. She’s a lucky woman to have found such a great guy like you.”
“Thank you, Zander. You don’t know how much that means to me.”
And in reality, I think I do. Because if the shoe was on my foot, I know I’d feel the exact way.
* * *
After drills, it’s just about lunchtime and Matt and I find ourselves back to the lounge area, looking over menus. We decide to order some sandwiches from the local deli, and while we wait for them to arrive, I think I’m going to sneak out to the store and pick up some drinks and coffee for the weekend.
“Is there anything else you’d like me to pick up while I’m out?”
Matt walks over to the cabinet and opens it up. He peers inside and then closes the door once more. “Nope. We’ve got some chips. We’re good.”
I chuckle, as if chips, coffee, and beer are the only three things we’ll need to get by for the weekend. “All right, cool.”
He walks over to the counter next to the sink and props himself on top of it. He picks up the newspaper that someone had left on it from earlier this morning and begins reading the headlines. “Try not to take too long… lunch will be here before you know it.”
“I’m only going to Supermart on Pleasantville Road. I’ll be twenty minutes, tops. And I’m going to walk since it’s right there.”
He looks up at me right as I reach the door. “You’re not even going to drive? Yeah, okay. Twenty minutes, my ass.”
Sure. It’s Supermart. You go in for one thing and come out with fifty items. I’ve done that before, we all have. But I can keep an eye on the clock and be back before our sandwiches get here. And to prove a point, I’m even going to walk. It’s only like two minutes from the firehouse, anyway. “I’ll be quick, I promise. After all, what could possibly make me delay? It’s just Supermart.”
He raises an eyebrow. “That’s precisely it. Plus, you just never know what can happen.”
I furrow my brows. What does he mean? “What the hell are you talking about?”
He smiles. “Think of the day I met Valerie… I was in the post office. She happened to walk in as I was leaving, and I had to turn around and make an excuse to talk to her. Who would have thought my trip to the post office would have caused me to meet the woman of my dreams.”
I chuckle. “Dude, I really don’t think I’m going to meet anyone at Supermart while shopping for beer.” Not like I’m looking to meet anyone, anyway. I had my chance at love, and unfortunately, fate didn’t let it last very long.
“I wouldn’t completely rule it out, Zander.”
I chuckle again, waving him off. Then I grab my scruffy beard and scratch my chin. “Okay, man. I’ll see you in about twenty. Matter of fact, make it fifteen.”
He shakes his head, smiling widely, and repeats, “Yeah, twenty minutes. We’ll see.”
I walk out of the firehouse, just rolling my eyes playfully. Gotta love Matt and his optimistic outlook on life lately.
