Chapter 40

Matthew melted me, beyond any description, and I wanted him. No, I neededthe student, claiming I was in love with him. I spent half my time following the man around Turtle Bay Reef: to the Artista Theatre Complex, to his best bud’s apartment on Mermosa Street, and to Turtle Books for vintage horror paperbacks by Shirley Jackson and Jack Finney. I observed him at Rosemary’s Bay, his aunt’s restaurant, to eat, and on Marlin Way where he often enjoyed a cup of coffee (heavy on the caramel and homemade cream). He sometimes read a or two on his Kindle and conversed with other visiting patrons. I followed him to The Cat Fancy and Doggie Delight Shelter on Sand Dune Lane where he sometimes volunteered by playing with the adoptable cats or by walking the dogs. And I also followed him to The Crutcher/Alfo Gallery on Sea Salt Street in the heart of Turtle Bay Reef where he admired an artist’s glass work, hand blown orbs of various colors, sizes, and wavy shapes.