From Textbooks to Changing Tables

Chapter 4
The Market

Chapter Description: Matt, Scott, and Sam meet an old friend of his father's, and the humiliation continues.

Sam walked through the market with the boys behind her. Matt held Scott’s hand as they ventured through. Matt used to have to carry Scott on his shoulders or have Sam hold his hand, but Matt was now slightly shorter than Sam, who was a scant 5’4”, so he could reach Scott’s hand with ease.

“Try and keep up, we have a lot of produce to carry” Sam ordered, the boys chugging along behind her. Matt’s mind drifted as he moved his brother along, weaving in and out of yuppie parents and health conscious hippies as they headed for Sam’s stands of choice. He was wondered where he would stop, whether his mind would remain the same after losing his cool over the word “physical”, and whether he would be going to school of any kind next year.

Finally, after hours of trudging and carrying things, they arrived at Mr. Green’s vegetable stand. Mr. Green was a friend of Matt and Scott’s dad, and a friend of Sam’s who always gave her good deals. When the boys finally caught up to their ‘mom’ he nearly fell over in surprise.

“Matt, is that you? I thought you were in college! You look like you did when I first met you!” Matt hid his face as Sam covered for him, “Yeah, he caught the AR virus, so the next time you see us, I might be pushing a stroller with Scott riding off the back and this one in the front!”

“Aw jeez, I’m sorry Matt, I wish there was some way I could make you feel better. Here, have some carrots on the house” Mr. Green apologized. “Thanks, Mr. Green” Sam thankfully expressed, “I know they’re good for growing boys, so it’ll be good once his regression ends” She joked.

“Just leave me alone, please.” Matt growled at Mr. Green. It wasn’t his fault, but he did not want his condition acknowledged, much less made fun of by Sam. He turned away while holding back tears. Scott patted his brother’s hand silently. For a three year old, he really knows how to shut up when it counts, Matt thought to himself.

“Alright, Mr. Green, thanks for the deals, as always” Sam said as she and the boys headed back to the car. Matt was about to break down. “It’s okay, honey, you’ll get used to it after a while. Just embrace it as it comes.”

“Embrace it, I’m about to kill someone! I can’t just start life over, what if I have to relearn everything? What if I become a dumb ass preteen 10 years from now when I’m grown up? I’ll be stuck in a different generation!” Matt squealed.

“Matt, you already are in a different generation” Sam retorted, “You are the only guy I know born in the 90’s that listens to Rush. Now come on, let’s go home and relax, and you can watch whatever show you want. I’ll even let you watch Family Guy if you’re good.” Sam patronized.

Matt just grunted as they headed back home. His freedom was slipping away, he could feel it “Let’s hope my mind goes in this whole thing, otherwise I’m gonna have to remember all this humiliation.” He lamented.

“Don’ wowwy, bwutha,” Scott piped up, “You can pway wif me if you want if you get bowed.”

“Thanks, bud, I’ll keep that in mind.” Matt sarcastically commented. “Can we please get out of here now?”

“We are getting out of here, we’re at the car” Sam said. She closed the doors after buckling Scott in and pulled out of the parking lot to head for home.