I remember when I met Matt like it was yesterday. I was working at a hotel on the cleaning staff. I was doing my usual
rounds. I knocked on his door, and said, "housekeeping." I didn't get an answer, so I used my key to get in. I stripped the
sheets off the bed, and replaced them with fresh ones.
As I was setting the mints on the pillows, a man stepped out of the bathroom. Being a fan of wrestling, I recognized him
immediately. He was of medium height and build, long brown hair wet from the shower, brown eyes framed with thick dark lashes,
and soft, kissable lips. As my eyes moved down his chest and stomach, I finally noticed he was only wearing a towel. "I'm
sorry, Mr. Hardy. I didn't realize you were here." "That's alright. And, please, call me Matt. I don't think you have to call
a man mister if you've seen him with his clothes off." I laughed.
"You know my name... What's your's?" "Erin." "Well, Erin, it's nice to meet you, but I seem to be a bit under-dressed.
If you don't mind..." "OH! Of course, Matt. I'll just finish up later," I said, my cheeks burning. I went out to the hall,
where the cart was waiting, and moved along to the next room.
As I was putting the fitted sheet on the bed, there was a knock on the open door. "Need some help," Matt asked. "No, thank
you." "What if I insist?" "What if I still won't let you help?" "I wanna help, after the scene in my room." "It was an accident,
on both of our parts. You didn't hear me knocking, and I didn't hear the water running." 'Besides, seeing you in a towel was
too much for me,' I said to myself. "Ok, then... Let me take you to dinner," he said. "The staff isn't supposed to see the
guests on a personal basis." "A little late for that. Ok... What if I went to a different hotel?" "You don't take no for an
answer do you?" "You didn't say no to this. You just told me the rules." His smile made me say screw the rules. "Alright.
I'll be done here around 6:30." "Ok. Let's meet at the cafe down the street around 8."
Needless to say, I wasn't late for that date. The date went off so well, that we began seeing each other.
A year later, we celebrated our anniversary by making love on the floor by the fireplace at his home. As I lay in his arms,
basking in the afterglow, he said, "you know I have to leave early, don't you?" "Shhh..." I said while pressing a finger to
his lips. "I want to enjoy you being here, so don't bring it up, yet." He laughed. "I'll be back Wednesday, Erin." "I know,
but that bed feels so empty without you."
"Tell you what, if you answer one question, I'll come home after the show tomorrow night." "What's the question?" "Will
you marry me?" "Yes," I said with a huge smile, and without hesitation. What followed was some of the most passionate lovemaking
we had ever shared.
The next morning, I awoke in the bed. I looked over to his side of the bed, and saw a letter and picture on the pillow.
The picture was a Polaroid of him laying next to me, pretending to be asleep. The letter said:
Dear Erin,
I wish I could have woke up with you this morning, but work calls me. I will be on the first flight back after my match.
I love you.
Love,
Matt
A smile was plastered on my face, as I went to take a shower. When I got out, I turned on the tv, to watch the news before
I went to work. As I was pouring a glass of orange juice, I heard the newscaster say, "flight 257 to San Antonio crashed this
morning in College Station." I couldn't believe my ears. That was the flight Matt was on. I ran in the living room, and watched
as pictures of the wreckage flashed across the screen.
I jumped when the phone rang. I picked it up, and said, "please tell me this is you, Matt." "I'm sorry, Erin," Jeff said.
"Oh, God! No!" "Where's Matt? He was supposed to be here an hour ago." "Jeff, go turn on the nearest tv. Matt's plane crashed."
"No joking around this time, Erin. He has to get out of bed, and get here." "I'M NOT JOKING, JEFF," I yelled at him. I heard
the tv come on through the phone. "Oh, shit!" I heard it on both ends of the phone when the newscaster said, "there were no
survivors."
I broke down in tears, and it sounded like Jeff was crying, as well. "Erin, I'm going to catch the next flight home." Throughout
the following weeks, Jeff, their father and I were our own support group. Anytime one of us needed to talk, we'd call one
of the others. Weeks turned into months. Then, a surprise brought us out of our depression. Matt's legacy would carry on in
the child we created together.
Now, as I sit in the backyard, little Matt playing in the sand box beside me, a single ray of sunlight shines down on us.
I know, in my heart, it is Matt's way of saying he loves us, and wishes he could be here, physically.
