No Rain

Matt: was that the last one?

Jenn: yeah.

She said sounding a bit sad.

Jenn: it looks so empty without all our shit...

Matt: you moved out.

She pouted.

Jenn: how did you convince me to move in with you?

Matt: not sure but I'm glad I did. My house is better than this tiny ass apartment.

Jenn: but it was my tiny ass apartment.

Matt: come on.

We loaded the last box in the back of the suburban and left.

Matt: Melly sure did get her shit out fast.

Jenn: Melly is weird like that.

Matt: it will be better for both of you this way.

Jenn: I know. We're just so far away now. Not a living room apart.

Matt: you act like she's in Alaska.

Jenn: feels like it.

Matt: don't worry. You won't see less of her.

Jenn made a face and looked out the window.

Matt: think of it this way. New adventure.

Jenn: all my adventures include Melly.

Matt: and this one still does.

Jenn: what if she becomes better friends with Brian and dumps me.

Matt: don't think that's possible.

Jenn: yeah me either.

I quietly laughed.

Jenn: what if she never visits!

Matt: another thing I don't think is possible.

She gasped.

Jenn: OH MY GOD. What if he goes on vacation and makes her go with him! And then they never come back, Mama!

My brows furrowed and I shook my head.

Jenn: it could happen.

Matt: I promise it won't.

Jenn: you can't promise things like that.

Matt: this I can.

Jenn: fine Mama. Fine.

I turned the radio on.

Jenn: you and Melly seem to be getting close.

Matt: whatever.

Jenn: I've noticed.

Matt: no. We're just friends.

Jenn: uh huh sure. What about that date?

Matt: I am sure. And that was not a date.

Jenn: she likes you.

Matt: you keep hinting at that.

Jenn: she does. That bitch is a slut for you.

Matt: she's just a flirt. She doesn't seem all that serious.

Jenn: trust me. I'm her bestfriend. Who besides her would know better than me? No one. You shouldn't doubt my feelings.

Matt: don't start with that again. Melly says those are bullshit.

Jenn: she's bullshit. Mama I know what I'm talking about.

I gave Jenn a small smile. She only wanted good for her friends.

Matt: I'm just trying to figure her out.

Jenn: she's nothing complicated. Just retarded. And slutty.

Matt: she does know how to get my mind-

Jenn: yes yes. She makes you think nasty. Don't go into detail.

I parked.

Matt: why don't you and Brian go out.

Jenn: we aren't talking about me. We're talking about you.

Matt: he likes you. You like him. Badda bing badda boom. You two should be set.

She glared a bit.

Jenn: whatever.

Best way to get her to stop playing match maker. Bring up Brian. I smiled.

Jenn: can't we get like J.B. and Matt Barry to unload all my stuff? That is what they're good at.

Matt: why do you hate them?

Jenn: I don't hate them. J.B. is just really annoying.

Matt: I'm not making them come here so they can unload your stuff. Its not much, we can do it ourselves.

Jenn: I don't want to.

I rolled my eyes and opened the back up.

Matt: go unlock the door.

I grabbed a box and headed inside.

Jenn: can I paint the room a different color?

Matt: do whatever you want its your room.

Jenn: really?

Matt: yeah.

I shrugged.

Jenn: in that case. There's no rush to bring my shit in, if I'm just going to paint the room.

Matt: good point.

She sat in thought for a moment.

Jenn: yeah. I'm going to call Melly.

She ran off and I set the box down. I was looking forward to this. Having someone in the house again. Things seem so scattered. Val. My bestfriend. Gone. Val by choice. Jimmy...I closed my eyes. Its been hard. Despite time passing. This empty, hollow feeling. It only got bigger when she said she was done. People deal with these things everyday and its not fair. I took a deep breath and went upstairs. I could hear Jenn talking. I wasn't trying to listen but when you're used to a quiet house.

Jenn: shut the fuck up you nasty ass slut.

If you didn't know them, you might think they hate each other. I smiled.

Jenn: its weird...Gross! SLUT!

I could hear Melly rambling. She is a loud girl. Very loud. I made out a few words. Hop, Matt, and dick.

Jenn: oh my God. You skank ass bitch....I don't care what he's doing...liar....I'm not going to tell Mama that...why? Cause its fucking gross and weird.... Fuck you. Ask him next time you're flirting with him....whatever I'll talk to you later. Bye.

I acted like I was just coming up the stairs.

Matt: Jenn.

Jenn: yeah?

Matt: you hungry?

Jenn: a little.

Matt: want to go-

The doorbell rang.

Jenn: was one of the guys coming over?

Matt: not that I know of...

I went downstairs and Jenn followed. The sound of the doorbell rang out again. I opened the door.

Matt: Amy?

I felt Jenn take a step back. My sister wrapped her arms around me and kissed my cheek.

Amy: hey!

Matt: what are you doing here?

Amy: visiting my big brother.

I hugged her back.

Amy: how are you?

Matt: I'm fine.

Amy: really?

She said holding me at arms length. Worry in her word.

Matt: yes.

Her eyes wondered behind me and she let me go. Jenn stood there quietly. Amy wrapped her arms around her. Jenn got tense.

Amy: hi I'm Amy. Matt's sister.

Jenn: ummmm...hi?

Jenn shot me a what is she doing look.

Matt: uhh Amy maybe we should do the introducing first then the hugging.

Amy: oh right.

She said with a smile.

Amy: sorry...you know Matt. She doesn't really look like how you described her.

Matt: what?

Jenn just stayed quiet. Confused.

Amy: yeah. You said she has dark hair and really short. This girl is not that short and she's blonde.

Matt: what are you talking about?

Amy: isn't she the girl you told me about? Cute. Not that you're not cute. Loud. Close with Brian...ummm... Molly?

Jenn: Molly? My name is Jenn...

Amy: Jenn. Oh that's right there's two...

Matt: Melly.

Amy: yeah that's her name.

Jenn: Melly, huh?

A grin spreading over her face.

Amy: I thought you were Melly. He's brought her up a few times and so I just thought.

Jenn: I understand. Well I'm how he met Melly.

Amy smiled at Jenn.

Amy: so then if you're Jenn, you're the girl Brian likes.

Jenn's cheeks flushed.

Amy: I can see why. You're very pretty. He's always liked the really pretty girls.

Jenn: uhhh...yeah.

Amy: you dated my brother right?

Jenn: I'd rather not talk about that.

Amy: I don't blame you.

She made an ick face.

Matt: standing right here.

Amy: scarring right?

Jenn: a little.

Amy laughed.

Matt: we were just about to eat. Would you like to join us?

Amy: that would be lovely.

We went out. Amy seemed to really like Jenn. I hoped the feeling would be the same for Melly. I think it will. Her and Jenn are very easy to get along with. Melly doesn't have a hard time talking either. Funny how much more I'm actually noticing her now. Before she was just sort of there. At that time I was dating Jenn. After eating my sister went her on her merry way.

Jenn: I liked her.

Matt: she's annoying.

Jenn: she's funny.

Matt: sure.

Jenn: I knew you liked Melly.

I didn't respond. Nothing I could say would prove otherwise.

Jenn: she's really tall.

Matt: you think everyone is tall compared to you.

Jenn: cause they are.

Matt: you aren't that short Jenn.

Jenn: I could be a few inches taller.

Matt: I think you're fine.

Jenn: whatever.

Music played quietly. Jenn sang along.

Matt: are you ready for you're new job tomorrow?

Jenn: yes. What's the first order of business?

Matt: I've got to go to the lawyers office.

She gave a single nod.

Jenn: would you like me to go with you again?

I bit at the inside of my lip.

Matt: yes.

My voice quiet. Her hand went to my shoulder. I hoped she wouldn't be there tomorrow. I think seeing her would make it impossible for me. She's my everything. Was my everything. I still love her. Even with the big chunk she took from me. Leaving me with an empty hole. Sometimes I wonder which empty spot in my heart hurts more. The one ripped out by life or the one torn out by choice. I took a deep breath. Jenn wrapped her arms around me. Squeezing a bit. It threw me off a little. She let go and looked up at me.

Jenn: I'm glad you're my Mama.