Matt

ASTOUNDING ATTACHMENT

I was awakened by my buzzing phone.

I had set an alarm for 7am because we came home quite late the previous night and I knew I would possibly wake up late if I didn’t set the alarm. It was Monday.

The weekend had ended faster than I expected.

I stole away to the brook side, my usual spot for morning time adventure.

Today wasn’t really different. Few birds gliding about and perching on tree branches.

Also the speed of the water was higher. I threw about ten pebbles into the lake and watched the water splash.

When I felt satisfied, I returned home. This was me paying something like a last visit to the brook.

I was ready for the journey by about 10am so I asked Dad to drop me off at the airport.

I knew I would miss everyone but would miss Matt the most.

kissing him on his forehead, I whispered, “I hope you by the next time I’m home for holidays you’d have started talking?”

I didn’t seem to know whether he understood what I was saying, neither did I get a reply from him.

Mum said she wanted to come along with Dad and I to the airport so we all went together.

When it was time to go, I handed Matt over to Mum but the moment I started walking away from them, he began to cry.

I returned and carried him in my arms. Instantly, he stopped crying.

Mum and Dad stared at both of us, watching the drama in utter amazement.

I was as stunned as they were.

I tried again to leave but once more he began to cry, more uncontrollably this time than before.

The same thing happened repeatedly and when we saw that he wasn’t giving up, we had to devise a plan.

I suggested that we sit at the lounge. Then I carried him in my arms and played a movie on my phone for him.

Matt always loved watching movies with us.

About twenty minutes into the movie, he fell asleep.

When I noticed that he had slept off, I waited for about five minutes and then gently handed him over to my Dad.

“Bye Mum, bye Dad,” I mouthed, smiling at them as I did.

Next, I furtively took my suitcase and disappeared into thin air. This was my escape mechanism, literally.

As i was on the plane I began to marvel at what transpired few hours ago.

While it was only logical for Matt and I to have a bond given the amount of time I spent with him, carrying him, putting him to sleep, singing for him, watching movies with him and so on, I didn’t really expect him to be so much attached that he would not have me leave at all.

“So how did you start this line of work,” I abruptly asked the Uber driver, breaking the silence that had lasted for more than ten minutes since I got into the car.

“Working as an Uber driver you mean?” he asked vivaciously. “Yes.”

“Well I get this question a lot. Its nothing much. I got the opportunity to learn how to drive, very early in my life.

...With time, I began to perfect my driving. I also enjoyed driving and I discovered I don’t have anxiety while on the roads.

I decided not to go to college after high school basically because all my needs were catered for.

For about five years, I stayed at home all day playing video games and living a comfortable life but not until my dad lost his job did I see the need to find something doing to survive.

I tried a lot of things. I worked as a cashier at a retail store for about a year then I became an apprentice under a mechanic.

After learning the craft for about five months, I started doing automobile repairs full-time.

I wasn’t really feeling entirely comfortable working as a mechanic so I decided to work as a bartender at a big hotel for some years.

I enjoyed the job this time and the pay was also nice plus I usually got tipped by some people that came around especially those that were quite impressed at how I worked.

...A friend of mine suggested this to me later on; working as an Uber driver so I began to consider the option.

However, I had to save up for a car so I decided to work two jobs.

..I’d close from the bar in the afternoon, rest for a while and then report for my night shift at a certain warehouse.

I worked there as a loader. I continued this and in one year’s time I had saved up enough to get a car.

... I quit those two jobs and became a full time Uber driver.

This is my third year on this job and with this, I’m able to afford my family a decent living,” he recounted.

“Wow what a story,” I said after listening to him all the while. “You’ve really done a lot of jobs in your lifetime.”

“Yes since I didn’t go to college I knew I couldn’t get a white collar job or pursue a professional career so I had to try a lot of things just to survive.” he replied.

“Yeah I get it. I’m actually inspired by your narrative. I’ll give you a 5-star for that,” I said.

“Really? That would be really great. Thank you,” he replied excitedly.

We were now a little under three minutes away from the university campus.

“How about you though? I’m guessing you’re still an undergraduate student at Trentwood,” he said to me.

“Yes I’m studying Accounting and I hope to buy all the banks in America before I turn forty.”

After about ten seconds of both of us laughing intensely, he said, “I like your ambition though although it sounds ridiculous.

“Yeah I was just kidding though but yeah I’m studying accounting right now at Trentwood.

In about two to three years from now I’d be done with the programme.”

“Okay then, I wish you the very best of luck in your endeavors,” he said as he stopped the car at the parking lot that was east of the museum.

“Thank you very much and my regards to your family,” i said.

“Your suitcase is quite heavy,” he said as he closed the trunk of his car.

“Yeah I had to take a lot of stuff along with me this time around but it’s fine I guess,” I replied.

“Hello Dad!” “Hi Son! What’s up?” “I’m good Dad. I just called to let you guys know that I’ve arrived school,” I said.

“That’s great! Thank God for a safe trip,” he replied.

“Daddy how is Matt?” I asked and we both laughed because we instantly remembered our ordeal with him earlier that day at the Airport lounge.

“Matt is good, son. After you left, we waited about ten minutes before we left the airport. He was still sleeping when we were leaving.

...When we got home, he slept for about an additional hour and woke up.

Mum left him to play with his toys while she went to prepare lunch.

He doesn’t seem to notice just yet that you’re not at home but I bet later today or tomorrow he’ll surely find out,” Dad said.

“Incredible! I feel he probably won’t be pleased at my absence. I wish there was a way out Dad. I’m going to miss you all and I’m sure he’ll miss me more than you both would.”

“Well there’s a possibility that he might not react as we are thinking he would.

...By the way Evelyn says she wants to speak with you.

Over to you Evelyn,” Dad said as he handed the phone over to my Mum.

“Hey Chris. I guess you’re already in school,” she said.

“Yes Mum. I arrived here about three hour ago.

The flight was enjoyable and I got to engage the Uber driver in a conversation on my way to school.”

“Okay, interesting,” “By the way I hope you’ve had some rest?” she asked.

“Not really. I’ve been having a nice time here on the balcony for the past thirty minutes.

I just enjoy viewing everything that’s going on from up here,” I replied.

“Okay then. Just be good okay? Matt’s in the living room by the way,” she said.

“Yeah Dad told me.” “Oh okay. We’ll talk later I guess.” “Alright Mum, do take care of yourself as well,” I said finally and hung up.