ABANDONED

Matt’s still asleep. I sit on the living room floor, staring at the blank television. I could probably watch something. Or pull a book off the shelf, but instead I’m frozen on the carpet, feeling like a complete loser.

I can’t call Mom or Dad or be caught in a lie, plus it’s too early. Fruit of the poisonous tree, Sheila says. Serves you right.

So I text Alex to see if he wants to meet up for lunch later. At least then I’d have a plan. A place to be other than here, eventually.

Can’t, he writes. I have to go to a birthday party with Cindy that I forgot about. But I have all day tomorrow free.

At least he sees now. Things can happen. It doesn’t mean you don’t care.

Okay, sounds good.

So it’s just me, then. Sitting here on someone else’s floor.

Alone.