Gen. 5: Matthew Solo-Ch. 25

Again I'm a day late with this, but maybe it'll just become a thing. LOL

As Life Goes is 3 as of yesterday. I can't believe it's been that long. 

I never expected this story to grow like it has. 

I've enjoyed writing it the last 3 years and 

look forward to continuing it for more years to come. 

Thanks for all the support over the last 3 years!

Lydia

Every morning I woke up, I feared the day before had been a dream, but as I checked my surroundings I was indeed still in a real room, with a real bed, in a real house. Without a doubt the nicest house I’d ever stayed in.

Continue Reading: >>

Gen. 5: Matthew Solo-Ch. 24

Lydia

I ran my hands down the front of the frumpy top in a vain attempt to smooth out some of the wrinkles. This was the last outfit I’d gotten from the shelter that wasn’t worn out. I kept it for special occasions, like going into places to fill out applications.

Continue Reading: >>

Gen. 5: Matthew Solo-Ch. 23

I smiled listening to Cam and Klutz ‘talk’ to each other. For every babbling noise Cameron would make, Klutz would howl in response. All these little moments my son was missing. Jonas and I were discussing finding him a caretaker since we didn’t know how long he’d be like this. I wanted to be the one here, taking care of him, but Jonas reminded me we had to also consider the impact a long term arrangement could have on the girls. That was on top of me having to take care of the farm back home. Spring was here which meant the beginning of harvest season.

Continue Reading: >>

Gen. 5: Matthew Solo-Ch. 22

Erin

“Come on Cam, man. Haven’t you heard of the bro code?”

As I got to the top of the landing I laughed hearing Cal complain. I could only guess that Cameron peed on him again. We’d been here a week since the funeral and Cal was good about helping with Cameron’s care even if Cam seemed to have it out for him. It never failed, he always seemed to pee soon as Cal took off his diaper.

Continue Reading: >>

Gen. 5.21-Matthew Solo

I stood at the graveside, staring down into the hole that contained Kia’s body. Her final resting place. The minister was reciting some prayer. I heard Mom crying, Dad was comforting her. Why do we do this? Who does this whole process benefit? Kia was gone; she wouldn’t know who came out to mourn her. So what was the point? This whole exhibition was for those of us left behind. To pay our last respects. What did that even mean? Were we supposed to stand here and do our grieving before going on with the rest of our lives without that person? Were we supposed to try and make peace some sort of way if we had unresolved issues with the recently deceased? Kia was gone! She wouldn’t get to see our son grow up. She wouldn’t know that I was sorry for the choices I made that led us here. She wouldn’t know any of that, so me standing here as some man that didn’t even know her talked about how she was at peace now only served to anger me.

Continue Reading: >>

Gen. 5.20-Matthew

Dad tried to convince me not to do this. With everything that had happened yesterday and this morning, he told me I’d had a panic attack and passed out. He didn’t think I could handle any more stress, but I didn’t have a choice. I didn’t even know why I had to be here, they knew it was Kia, she was found in her room, but they said it was procedure. That same word Ms. Logan stated when she showed up. Everything was procedure. They needed her next of kin to make a positive ID, so here I stood looking down at my wife. I kept hoping this was a bad dream, that at any moment I’d wake and the nightmare would be over. She was gone. She’d spent the last few hours of her life probably scared and angry, thinking she was unwanted. Her father had abandoned her and then I sent her here. Why didn’t she believe I would come back for her? Why did she do this?

Continue Reading: >>

Gen. 5.19-Matthew

Mom and Dad said nothing as they drove me home. I’m sure they’d discussed plenty while I was knocked out from whatever they drugged me with. They were there when I woke up, so I knew I’d been out for a while. Mom’s eyes were red, so I knew she’d been crying. Again something I’d done had my mother in tears. Shannon had called them, she’d met them during one of their visits and I was thankful I’d had them down as back up emergency contacts on the paperwork I’d had to fill out with her agency. I’d wanted to thank her for all her help, but she was gone when I woke up. Mom and Dad did tell me she somehow managed to talk me out of being arrested. The hospital and the orderly that I’d hit wanted to press charges, but after she explained to them what all went on that day, they were sympathetic to my emotional state.

Continue Reading: >>

Gen. 5.15-Matthew

A chilly breeze blew causing Kia to tighten her arm around mine and I glanced down at her.

“How are you feeling?”

I wasn’t going to attend the lighting of the tree in town square, but Kia insisted on us attending with the rest of the family despite the fact she hadn’t been feeling well.

Continue Reading: >>

Gen. 5.12-Matthew

One…two…three…four…I counted as I turned the knobs on the sink. Today was the big party Aunt Hope was so eager to put on and the closer the time got the more anxious I felt. Kia had already met most of the family so I wasn’t sure why I just felt like today would be a disaster, but I did. I had this heavy pit in my stomach and I wished it was tomorrow already. Once the sink was secure, I gave Klutz a good brushing, twelve strokes right side. Twelve strokes left, twelve down the back and twelve on his belly. All sides covered.

Continue Reading: >>

Gen. 5.11-Matthew

 
When I woke up to let Klutz out in the morning, Kia was sitting at the table eating. I didn’t see any pots or pans out, and the house didn’t smell like she’d cooked anything, yet there was a plate of pancakes on the counter.

“Good morning,” I said grabbing a plate and taking a seat.

“Morning,” she replied barely looking up at me.

We sat in silence with the only the sounds of our utensils hitting our plates, and Klutz’s barking outside filling the silence between us.

Continue Reading: >>

Gen. 5.10-Matthew

The next morning I ran into Levi in the dining room. After Kia was released, we went down to the court house and applied for the marriage license. She went on and on about not minding a courthouse wedding now and that we could plan a ‘real’ one after the baby was born. In two days I’d be married, that’s how long it took for the license to be filed. We just needed a witness, that’s where Levi would come in since I didn’t think Mom and Dad needed to make two trips up.

Continue Reading: >>

Gen. 5.7-Matthew

It was senior year! I was very excited to be finishing up. My case load was pretty easy this last year so it left me time to do more exciting things. My buddy Levi and I had a war going trying to outdo each other with pranks.

He was pissed when he ended up with pink hair for a week, but he got me back by breaking into my room and putting the entire football team’s dirty socks and practice jerseys on my bed. I had a serious freak out moment that night as he stood there laughing his ass off. Luckily he was too drunk to realize I wasn’t acting just for dramatics.

Continue Reading: >>

As Life Goes: Gen. 5.6-Matthew

After that night I started spotting Kia around campus. I’d catch her coming from class and we’d talk for a while. She was a cute girl, certainly easy on the eyes. If we happened to both be in the student center we’d chat. I learned she had a bit of a competitive side and our table tennis matches could get heated. We started doing friendly wages and were pretty even on wins and losses. She was fun, but a little strange at times. Like the day I saw her walking in circles in the Quad.

Continue Reading: >>

As Life Goes: Gen. 5.4-Matthew

The next day Mom spent a lot of time out with her plants. She had broken down into tears when Dad got home after his attempted talk with Claudia’s mom. He said her mind was made up and that she wouldn’t let her daughter’s life be ruined by some ‘careless fuck-up’.  Dad tried to tell them that we would take the baby, but Claudia refused to be 'fat and ugly'. I needed focus. I needed order. Counting wasn’t even helping. I was restless the whole day. I constantly checked the sinks making sure there were no leaks. I cleaned everything.

Continue Reading: >>

As Life Goes: Gen. 5.3-Matthew

***SENSITIVE ISSUE CHAPTER***

The start of my junior year. Dad taught me to drive and Grandpa bought me a new car the day I got my license. Mom and Dad weren’t all that happy about it. They’d got me a little scooter to use, but I couldn’t take Claudia out in that, and what happened on rainy days. They couldn’t deny that logic.

Continue Reading: >>

Going Solo: Gen. 5.2-Matthew

After the project was over, Claudia and I still hung out from time to time. Since I’d grown up here, I knew all the best spots to hang out and she liked having fun. We’d pull pranks sometimes, but luckily never got caught. Mom and Dad didn’t mind my smaller things, but I think they would have blown a gasket if they knew I was out egging houses.

Continue Reading: >>

Going Solo: Gen. 5.1-Matthew

***So I am putting this warning here. Matt's gen will touch on some sensitive issues. I plan to cover aspects of mental issues given the traits he has rolled (neurotic and eccentric). There will be incidents during his generation that will focus on these issues and a few others that may be hard on some. Those chapters will be given an additional warning. I just wanted to make you aware of this fact in advance.***

Today was a big day. It was my birthday and I was excited. I would get my wings today, my real wings. Dad and I had lots of conversations about this day. I’d wanted my wings for a long time. I mean I know I have them, but they are these funny looking things where as Dad’s and Mom’s were so majestic. I would be like them today. We arrived a little early, Mom wanted to make sure everything was perfect. I couldn’t wait to see what gift Grandma and Grandpa got me. I told them I wanted a new laptop, but Mom said I didn’t need it. Grandpa liked getting me stuff anyway so I was pretty sure I’d get it. I’d already gotten the best gift from Great Grammy Wind. Dad had been telling her how Vor was getting old and Mom had been sad over the thought of losing him. I was too, he was my best friend, well she sent this stuff that Dad put on his food and the next day he was young again.

Continue Reading: >>

Going Solo: Grace Gen 4.28

Today my baby was growing up. I couldn't believe how the time had flown by. It seemed like only yesterday I was bringing Matthew home from the hospital and today he was turning 6. A big boy, going off to school in the fall. Growing up. Jonas and I decided to throw his party at the local candy store. Kids loved to hang out there to play games and have fun. Hope and Caleb couldn't make it out this time. Caleb's niece had been attacked and they were dealing with a family crisis. I felt bad for Starr. She was a nice girl, liked to have fun. I had an ache in my heart hearing what happened to her. I knew all too well how she was feeling.

Continue Reading: >>

Going Solo: Grace Gen 4.27

I loved being a mother. I'd never known it could be possible to have love so deeply for someone so tiny, but I did. Every time I looked at Matt, my heart swelled. Jonas was just as in love with his son. We worked well together, caring for him.

Late night feedings, changing dirty diapers, baby vomit, all of it, Jonas happily took care of. Watching him with our son only made me love him more.

Continue Reading: >>

Going Solo: Grace Gen 4.26

Two years Jonas and I had been married and life was great. Jonas decided to just move into my house since he knew I loved it here. With him there, I finally got around to those cosmetic fixes I'd been putting off because I didn't want people in and out of my house. The living room and kitchen got major make-overs as did my, well our, bedroom.

Continue Reading: >>