such a small world

Was it true?

Asa didn't mean to stare. Maybe this was the secret that Matt kept from him. Yet, he couldn't think of Jane being at fault about what became of Matt.

"I..I was just wondering..are you talking about..Matt?" Asa found himself asking, yet he felt as if he were shaking on the inside when he said his name. All he could think of was the fact that Matt killed the very person he loved and had wanted to spend the rest of his life with.

"You know him?" The look of shock on her face was stunning.


"Yeah..we..we were friends... once." Asa couldn't quite smile. Asa's face grew grim. Perhaps, Matt left this world thinking they were still friends. Although, Asa didn't see it that way.

"Wow, small world, huh?" She seemed lost for words.

"Its, OK." He wasn't sure he wanted to tell her about Amanda. He talked about the baby, trying to see if it were true. Was this a part of Matt? Asa never got back with Matt's wife. He guessed things were going OK with her. She did have her folks and the church. Yet now, this was new. Matt's child.

Asa moved forward. He looked at her address. Suddenly, he felt like a stalker. She lived in a trailer park.

"But I'm going to nursing school." She sounded as if the place were only temporary. "Its not easy, but..um, I going to do good. For Mattie."

Asa filled out the information on the computer screen for Jane's library card as she read the rules while Audrey played with the baby.

"Its a free card." Actually, it was a lie. She was in a part of the city that didn't pay city taxes. He paid for her membership. It was the least he could do.