The Other Other Woman (12 page)

“Can you make him get a full-time job?” I suggested. “Maybe that would keep him out of trouble?”

“I could, but what I really want him to do is go to school. College, trade school, anything other than sitting on his ass in my house playing video games and being a surly little asshole to everyone. And now this going on his record isn’t going to help him get a job…” he added.

“Ugh, I’m sorry, babe. I know how upset you must be. You’ve done so much for him and he just doesn’t appreciate anything he’s got. I would have killed for someone to pay for me to go to college full-time and not require me to do anything but study.”

“I know. I just don’t get where I went wrong. The other two are great; neither of them is like this. He’s incredibly lazy and entitled and just doesn’t give a shit.”

“I’m really sorry. It’s not you, he’s just a different kid, different personality, different friends,” I continued. “If it were me, his options would be to either work full-time, go to school full-time, or get out. His choice.”

“Yeah, I just really don’t know what to do. I’m so over his behavior.” I could hear the frustration in his voice.

“Do you think he could be doing drugs at all?” I asked carefully. “It seems like that would make him surly and lazy and just have no motivation for anything else, you know?”

“I have no idea. Maybe pot, although nothing would surprise me at this point.”

“What does Sandra think?”

“I haven’t even told her where he is yet. She thinks he just crashed at a friend’s house.”

“Oh.”

I found that… interesting. We must have been talking forever and I felt like Angie was bound to suspect something.

“Hey Matt, I want to keep talking to you, babe, but I’ve got to run. I’m out with my roomie and I sort of ditched her back in Macy’s a while ago. Can I call you later?”

“No problem, sweetie, we’ll talk later. Have fun and be careful tonight!”

“Okay, I will. I miss you!”

“Miss you too, babe. Bye.”

That night we had an absolute ball. We went to the top of the Hancock and hung out in the Signature Lounge to watch the sunset over the city. Then we cabbed it over to Navy Pier and walked the length of it, drinking vodka lemonade and watching fireworks over the water. The weather was perfect–a clear summer night, low 80’s with a cool breeze. We hung around to see a band at the end of the pier and then headed back to the entrance at midnight. We were going to take some cabs back, but we ended up negotiating a stretch limo for a steal so we could all ride back to the hotel together. We went back out to a club at a ridiculous hour of the morning and danced for several hours before walking back to the hotel at four a.m. The entire weekend had just been spectacular.

That Sunday we were all taking off at different times. Some of us had flown in, some had driven, and some took the train. We got packed up and checked out so we could say our goodbyes to those leaving early. Then we split into smaller groups for brunch. By the time we got back to the hotel to grab our bags for the airport, it was getting really stormy outside. I received an email from USAir that because of strong thunderstorms in the area, my flight out of O’Hare was going to be delayed at least an hour. That meant there was no question I would miss my connection in Atlanta.

I called the airline and the best solution they could offer me was to book me on a later flight out of Atlanta. Like three hours later. Three hour delay, you say? I’LL TAKE IT.

Naturally, I wanted to let Matt know about this new development as soon as possible. It was absolutely pouring outside so we were waiting out the storm in the hotel lobby before trying to catch the L back to O’Hare. I texted him and told him that I was now going to have a
THREE HOUR DELAY
and to call me. He texted back that he
couldn’t call just yet but he read me loud and clear
. I wouldn’t actually get there until 7 p.m. or so. I knew it would take an act of Congress to get him out to the airport on a Sunday night. But I kept my hopes high that with enough notice, maybe he could come up with a plausible excuse–a client in town for dinner unexpectedly, perhaps. I just wanted to see him and kiss on him for a few minutes.

I texted back:
I realize it’s not like we could go get a hotel room or anything, but just to see your face would mean the world to me.

I know, sweetie. That’s a tough one, though. I just don’t know, but I’m trying to think of something.

Think harder. :)

LOL going out in a little bit, will call you.

A few of us were leaving at roughly the same time. Once the rain eased up we quickly headed to the train station together. About 30 minutes into the ride, I saw my phone ringing. I was surrounded by my friends and the clacking of the train was so loud, there was no way I could have answered. He left a voicemail but I couldn’t hear that either. I texted him that I was on a very loud train but would call him back ASAP. Once we got to the airport, I listened to his voice message and my heart sank.

“Hey Mallory, it’s Matt. I stepped out to buy some stuff for dinner that I’m making, and I just wanted to say hello. Um, we’ll talk later. I’ll do what I can… later. Tough weekend for me though, in general, but we will see. Okay… talk to you soon, sweetie.”

I knew he wasn’t going to come out. I don’t know why I even let myself believe that maybe he would. Once I said goodbye to the other girls, I called him from my gate. “You’re not going to make it, are you?”

“I’m going to try, sweetie, but I just don’t see a way right now. Anna is coming home from the beach tonight. She’s been gone for a week, so I can’t just take off as soon as she gets here.”

I was, as usual, trying to be the cool laid-back chick who doesn’t get upset. “Are you trying to say that your
daughter
is more important than me?!” I replied sarcastically.

“Funny girl. You know I want to see you, I just can’t promise anything.”

“All right. Well, I gotta go. We’re boarding in a little bit.”

“Have a good flight, babe,” he replied.

Fine. Whatever. Who cares what kind of flight I had? I wasn’t going to see him, and I wasn’t going to have anything to do for three hours in Atlanta, that was for sure. I was so disappointed. I have always felt like, as an adult, if you really care about something, you make it a priority. I clearly wasn’t a priority that day. I doubt he even tried to think of an excuse. If our roles had been reversed, I would have moved heaven and earth to make a 25 minute drive out to the airport to see him, even if it was for 10 minutes. It would surely beat a six hour drive! I hated the way I could go from feeling like I was the only girl in the world to chewed-up gum on the bottom of his shoe. And even worse, I hated that I let him make me feel that way. The old Mallory would have told him to get bent.

When my plane arrived in Atlanta, for a moment, I had a brief glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, he would surprise me. But when I texted him that I had landed, he responded:

Anna just walked in, I’m sorry, babe.

You should be. What am I supposed to do in your city for the next three hours with no one to smooch on?!

I wish I could be there.

Well wish in one hand and shit in the other and see which fills up first
, is what I really wanted to say. But I just responded:
Me too. :(

I’m really sorry :(

You can stuff your sorries in a sack, mister!
(Quote from "Seinfeld")

Will you forgive me? I want you xoxo!

I want you too. Here… now.

Send me a pic!

Aren’t you at home?!

Yeah but they are in the other room…

All you get today is some leg
, and I snapped a quick picture of the top of my thighs peeking out from under my white denim skirt.

Awesome,
he replied
. I miss your body.

I miss your mind… on my body

LOL, need you soon!

Well I just need to know which day you want to make that happen, so I can take it off…

I will check and let you know… need to see you. In private. And for a long time.

We need a vacation together…
I suggested.

We definitely do!

I’m just going to sit here and imagine that for a moment.

We’ll have to think of a place to go…
he agreed.

Hey, I forgot that now you’ll be able to do Facetime on your iPhone! That could be dangerous.

Wow, yes! I want you ASAP. Anna just came in room… FYI

You aren’t sitting there with a boner, are you, Mattie?

Haha you’re awesome, sweetie. Hey, what do you want for your birthday?

My birthday isn’t until August, dear.

I know that, but I just wanted to get some ideas

Just get your ass up here so you can give me a kiss for my birthday, that’s all I really want.

I think that could be arranged… and then some.

We continued to text on and off until I was ready to board my flight home. I was shocked that he was willing to do that with his family in such close proximity, but I was so happy that he did, even though it was probably just out of guilt. He said he felt so bad for not being able to come out that it was the least he could do. Either way, it definitely gave my wounded ego a much needed boost.

I was so excited about him getting the iPhone. This was going to be life changing! When he would go out of town we would be able to see each other at night and, oh God, I could possibly see him naked! Who wouldn’t be excited about that? It took me a while to explain to him just how useful of a tool this would be for us. The possibilities were endless. He didn’t really understand the concept. I suggested that we try it out one day at lunch. He would go home at lunch and I would try to find a Wi-Fi spot where we could connect. The first time was a miserable failure. He could not figure out how to get the phone to recognize his home wireless network. But we tried again the next day with us both heading to a Barnes and Noble parking lot and hoping for the best. And as I was sitting in my car patiently waiting, his sweet face popped up on my phone and a huge smile broke out on both of our faces.

“OH MY GOD! There you are! Hi!” I think I actually squealed.

“Hey sweetie! Oh, you look so good!

“So do you! Take your sunglasses off, dummy!”

“Wow, I want to jump through this phone, I’ve missed that smile!”

“It is so good to see you, God I miss those lips!”

“This is really cool. I had no idea you could do this!”

“I just wish you didn’t need Wi-Fi to do it, would be a lot easier if I could call you like this every day from the office…”

“That would be downright dangerous! You look great, Mal.”

“Thanks, baby, so do you. Really great. I can’t wait for you to get back up here.”

“I know… me either. I’m thinking maybe Monday the 16th, but I’ll let you know later. I may have to move some things around.”

“Then you’ll get to see this!” I pulled down my shirt and flashed him my cleavage for a split second. There is a slight delay on Facetime, but I saw his eyebrows fly up.

“Did you just flash me?’

“Yes sir, I surely did.”

“Love it, babe,” he sighed. “I really miss you.”

“I miss you too, please come and see me!”

“I will. Hey, I have an appointment soon, so I gotta head back… but it was so great to see you. We’ll do this again!”

“You too! Bye, baby.” Once we hung up, I got a text.

LOVE FaceTime!!

He was going to be leaving for Miami that weekend, so I was really looking forward to showing him far more interesting and private uses for it.
Can’t wait until we can use it in MIA… I figured you know, you could call me, and you could put your reading glasses on, and I could, I don’t know, watch you read for a while…

Very funny. But I had seeing your body in mind.

Well yes dear, I was joking! I really want to see your chest. You know it’s my favorite (okay, second favorite) part!

Ok. Likewise.

It’s not as good as the real thing, of course…

No, being physically there is far superior!

Being physical with me is pretty good isn’t it? You should do it more often.

I want to, baby. Every day.

This once a month stuff is for the birds. You know I want you pretty much all the time. It’s shameful, really.

Nothing to be ashamed of! Picture pls.

Of?

You. Today.

When Saturday came, he texted to tell me he would try to call me around 2:00 p.m., which was pretty typical for a Saturday. He was usually coming back from the gym or out running errands by himself. I didn’t have much time when he called me because my mom was coming over to hang out with me and the girls.

“Hey sweetie, what are you up to?”

“Getting ready to hit the playground circuit with the girls. Jealous?”

“Haha, no can’t say I am! I was trying to get a quick ride in this morning before it got too hot and now I’m just running around.”

“You’re leaving for MIA tonight, right?”

“Yep, be at the condo around 10:00 or 10:30.”

“Oh wow, late flight, huh?”

“Yeah, I’ll call you when I get in though, will you be up?”

“That’s a silly question, Matt.”

“Well, I was just checking! It’s way past my bedtime!”

“I know it is, you old fart.”

“Hahaha, okay. I’ll talk to you then, sweetie.”

“Okay, sounds good. Maybe we could do Facetime tonight?”

“We can definitely do that tomorrow, but it’s going to be pretty late for tonight.”

“Oh, okay. Talk to you later, babe.”

I really didn’t see what the big deal about it being too late was, but whatever. I am sort of a night owl; I usually don’t go to sleep until at least midnight. My mother came over to the house and I decided to log in to my work laptop and get a jump on my emails while she was entertaining the kids for a few minutes. Right away I saw that there was an email from Delta to Matt for his 24 hour flight check-in from Friday afternoon. Normally I would have deleted it without giving it a second look, but my eyes just happened to catch the flight time: 2:30 p.m. Saturday.