It was almost immediately after the semester started when I got a phone call from Julie Taylor. She was sobbing and trying to speak. I told her to take a few deep breaths and explain what was wrong. I was worried something happened to her family.
"Matt's dad... H-He's dead."
I sucked in a breath. Matt's relationship with his dad was difficult. But Matt still loved his dad, at least from what I could see. I couldn't imagine losing a parent to a war that in most cases was unnecessary. "How's Matt?"
"I don't know. He came by late last night and left after I told him." She sniffled and fought off another sob.
"Can I do anything?" I set my laptop and school books to the side.
"Not that I know of. Can you have Tim check on Matt? Maybe get the guys together for a night?"
I glanced at my boyfriend sleeping beside me. "Yeah. I'll ask him. We'll be there for Matt, so don't worry. Keep me updated, okay?"
She agreed and we hung up.
My homework was forgotten as I laid back on my bed. Death was always a hard thing to deal with and death in war wasn't any easier. I closed my eyes for a moment to say a quick prayer for Matt, his mom, and his grandma.
In the midst of Saracen's loss, Tim and I were looking for places to live. I didn't know when my parents would be home and kick him out again, so I was eager to find us a place quickly. Before Tim met up with Matt, Landry, and Billy, we popped into a bar to take a short home-hunting break.
"Should we look for a house or somethin' like an apartment?" I asked, sipping my Coke.
Tim's fingers tapped on his beer bottle. "If you're wantin' to pay for it all in one go before your parents cut you off, we should look for somethin' cheaper. A trailer won't be too bad. We could get one of those nice campers and park it on a piece of land somewhere. Maybe build our own house one day."
"Ya think so?"
"I've got a place you can stay." We turned to see a lady bartender leaning over the counter. "Sorry, but I overheard your conversation. I've got a camper in my yard that's sittin' there doin' nothin'. It could use a little life. You can stay there until y'all find somewhere else."
"You don't use it to make meth, do you?" Tim asked.
She chuckled. "Bad experience?"
"You could say that."
"No. It's a drug-free camper. It's small, but I don't think the two of ya mind bein' close."
"How much?"
"$100 a month."
"When can we move in?" Tim rubbed my thigh.
She shrugged. "Tonight if you need to."
Tim looked to me. My stomach flipped and I nodded. I was officially moving in with Tim Riggins.
Cheryl Sproles was kind enough to give us her address and detailed instructions on how to get to her house. We loaded up Tim's truck with the things we'd absolutely need in a small camper and made our way over. I never thought a camper could be a home, but I fell in love with it instantly.
The bed was to the right of the door when we walked in while the rest of what the camper had to offer was to the left: a tiny kitchen, a small table, and even a tiny bathroom and shower. It was perfect for us, at least for a little while.
"I'll help you bring everything in," Tim said. "I'm gonna need to go soon, but I can help unpack once I get back tonight."
I nodded, noting the darkening sky. "Don't worry about it, Tim. Have fun with the guys and we'll unpack later."
He kissed my forehead and my lips. "I love you."
"You know, we could unload the truck later, too," I smirked. "We could do something more fun before you leave."
"I like the sound of that."
I leaped into his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist. I kissed him as he brought me to the tiny bed. He kissed down my neck while working on getting my pants undone. A sudden breeze paused our movements.
"Oops," I said, looking at the open door.
Tim closed and came back, working on my jeans again.
He left kisses up and down my legs once they were free while I worked on getting his shirt over his head. My heart thumped rapidly when he gazed at me from under his messy hair as he pressed his lips to my stomach just above the band of my underwear. Dear Lord, he was going to be the death of me.
All smiles were gone when Tim came back late. I stirred from my sleep when the door shut. The book I was studying from was laying on the ground, so I picked it up and gazed at Tim.
"How's Matt?"
Tim sat on the bed and rubbed his face. His eyes were red. "He's not good, Cat. He made us take him to the funeral home so he could see his dad. I watched Matt Saracen break in front of us. He's not okay. We took him to the Taylors' because he wanted to see them."
I rubbed Tim's leg before taking his hand. "I'm sorry. You guys did a good thing being there for him tonight."
Tim wrapped me up in his arms before making us lie down. He squeezed my middle and buried his face in my shoulder. I kissed his head and rubbed his back.
After a few minutes, Tim sat up to pull his shirt off. He settled next to me and closed his eyes while my hands continued to soothe him. If we were under any other circumstance, I would have laughed at the action. That night I stayed quiet and gently loved on my boyfriend.
Tim and I stood at the back of the group gathered in front of Mr. Saracen's grave. I dabbed at my eyes watching the soldiers fold the American flag and handed it to Lorraine. I didn't even flinch when the 21-gun salute began. I never really knew Matt's dad, but I was heartbroken all the same.
Matt said a few words about his father to end the small ceremony. Guests drifted away from the site at a consistent pace. Tim and I acknowledge Lyla before she walked away with her dad. Last I heard, she was doing really well at Vanderbilt. I didn't expect to see her back in Dillon for the funeral.
Tim and I were the last to leave Matt and Julie alone. With his hand on my back, Tim guided me over to his truck. I paused before getting in to look back at Matt. My heart shattered when I saw him with a shovel, putting the dirt into the grave. Tim had to wipe away fresh tears from my cheeks when he noticed me staring. He kissed my forehead and held me against him until I decided to climb into the truck. I didn't take my eyes off of Matt until I couldn't see him anymore.
This chapter was quick (intentionally). I didn't want to spend too long focusing on Matt (though that episode broke my heart) or on Tim and Cat moving in together. It's a filler despite hitting important moments in the show briefly. I hope it was enjoyable despite the shortness. I hope to get the next part up sooner than this one, but we'll see with the new job and while I work on a different story I'm trying to finish. -S. M. Graham
