Once we get home, I get Mattie a suitcase.

"Pack that for a week." I tell him before I go and pack a bag of my own.

When I finish packing, I take out my phone and text dad.

Me: im takin mattie 2 canada. b back in a week.

He'll yell at me for messin' up his precious language, but I could care less, especially now.

I throw my bag down the stairs and go to Mattie's room. He hasn't packed a thing yet. Instead, he's sitting on his bed holding his stuffed polar bear.

I sigh and pack some stuff for him

"Ya know, you should be excited." I tell him while packing.

"Why?" It's so soft and quiet, I barely hear him.

"I'm takin' you home."

"Isn't this 'home'?"

I finish packing his bag.

"Your home Mattie." I take his arm, since he's still holding his polar bear and suitcase and bring them downstairs. I grab my bag and go outside. Mattie gets in the passenger's side. I put the bags in the bed of my truck and get a text.

Dad: You're ruining my language.

Me: ya i no

Dad: Why are you taking your brother to Canada?

Me: ta make him undepressed

Dad: If he's upset, bring him to a hockey game.

Me: he dont wanna

Dad: Make sure you ARE back in a week then.

Me: we will b

I get in the truck and put in a CD I found in Mattie's room. Luckily, we don't live far from Canada, so the trip won't be that long. Mattie stares blankly out the window the whole time. His expression doesn't even change when we cross the border. I drive down to the cabin we own by forest. We get there in a few minutes.

"Mattie come on, cheer up. We're in Canada now." He doesn't show any reaction to this. "Well, let's get inside." He slowly nods and gets out of the truck. I grab our bags and bring them inside after him.

He's sitting on the sofa, still holding his polar bear. I leave the bags by the front door and sit next to him.

"Mattie, you're gonna be ok. You really are."

He shakes his head and looks at the ground. I rub his back. He just holds Kumajirou closer and I notice he has tears in his eyes.

Seeing him all sad is really starting to bum me out. I want to see him smile again. I haven't seen him smile since…since… I don't remember the last time he's smiled. I look over at him.

"Mattie, could you smile? Even for just a second?"

He doesn't even turn to look at me and says, "What's there to smile about? I was only noticed by you by a mistake most likely. When you're invisible for so long, smiling is pointless."

"Who are you?" Kumajirou looks up at him and asks him.

"I'm Canada." he weakly says.

"Who?"

"Your owner."

Kumajirou seems satisfied with that, since he doesn't ask 'who?' again.

"Does he ask that a lot?"

"Yeah."

"Well, maybe it's his fault you're depressed." It must be. If he's always asking who Mattie is, that must make him feel invisible.

But Mattie shakes his head. "At least Kumajaret knows I'm here, knows I exist."

"Mattie, I know you exist too."

"Not last week."

"I already feel guilty enough. It was an accident."

"It always is." He gets up.

"Hey, where are you going?"

"Hm? To go sleep."

I look at the time on the TV. It's evening, not late, but if Mattie wants to sleep, I'll let him. "OK." I tell him, but he's already left to a bedroom.