Night Mode: Matthew & Ty

About 8 pm, Sam returned from venturing out at a local bar for a bite and a brew. The wheels in her mind are spinning with ever-present responsibilities weighing heavy on the heart. Each day, more monotonous than the next, and it is nerve-racking. Sam is an optimist by default and pessimist through experience; she finds herself yearning for the days of confidence and security.

After washing her hands for the umpteenth time today, Sam settles down in her room and say's hello to her night owl, Luna. Per Luna form, she flops down on the floor and rolls from side to side. Always glad to see her mamma. "Hi, Luna," Sam sings.

Cat play is so cute. Luna purrs, and Sam tickles her now full black belly. At seven years old, she is a healthy size. She folds her body, so little paws can push at Sam's hand.

The jacket, earrings, rings, necklace are taken off, and Sam is ready to continue binging on Game of Thrones for the second time. She smiles, thinking about how incredible she is even more annoyed at specific characters in the series. Admittingly, she is finding new inspiration from each episode. It is an ever-present reminder of how humans can be driven by control and power. Especially a co-worker she, unfortunately, has to team with on a project. Sam rolls her eyes at the thought. "Why she gotta be a vicious bitch, though?" Sam mutters. She shakes her head, refocusing, and heads downstairs to grab a bottled water and a bag of pecan halves to go with the show.

Now crawling into bed, Sam readies the laptop for escape time, even if for a little while. Work tomorrow will have its role, and her plans are to enjoy this time until her alarm sounds. Until then, it's GOT time.

Three episodes later, her phone chimes to remind her sleep is underway, but it's not. It was set up as a responsible reminder to get in the proper sleep requirements, but night-time was time she had to herself. When the world as she knows it was docile and peaceful. Sam turns and looks at the seat beside her bedroom window and smiles. It is a reminder of how her night of spectating will really begin.

Sam is a night owl that likes to perch on the branches and ledges of imagination and hope. She can take flight and watch the world from a vantage point that gives her vision. Unafraid of the pitch of dark and the sounds that cry out from the wild. In this world, she can pivot her view keeping a watchful eye on goings-on that others may hide as they lurch about the night. People, places, and things do all types of things in the dark of night. Her life lacked luster presently, and others provided a welcomed out.

Sam sits up and takes a seat by the window. It's midnight now, and the sandman is out singing lullabies to the rest of the world. There isn't much stirring this evening, but that can change instantly. Luna crawls up onto Sam's lap to take her position as the second pair of eyes darting about in the dead of night. Ears perking up at every sound and movement.

A couple passes arguing. Sam is all too familiar with the tone and word usage from a night that has ended wrong. For some reason, the back street is the route taken to have explosive conversations.

"This is the last time you will disrespect me, Matthew! The very last time!" He attempts to stop the well-dressed young woman adorned in an eclectic red and pink striped shirt with an African print skirt. Her hair was locked and fell center back. The young man, though stumbling, attempts slightly to stop her by walking in front, but she pushes past him. "I am calling an Uber," she snaps. "No Ty, no! I'm sorry. It didn't mean anything, I swear!"

"She's fed up, Luna," Sam whispers. Sam leans deep for a glimpse of her expression. From her vantage point, she sees Ty has a smirk on her face.

Ty continues, "I blame myself for letting this go this far, but no more. It ends tonight!" The young man looked around, panicked, and seemingly sobered up. "You can't leave me, I love you, and you love me!" She puts away her phone. "Matthew, the only person you love, is your fucking self, and even that is questionable." He grabs her by the arms with tears streaming down his face, "Please forgive me." Ty looks at him with no expression and says, "I don't love you anymore, Matthew. You are not the man for me. I refuse to believe your infidelity and constant flirting equals any kind of love for me. So, go and do whatever is you want to do and leave me out of it because I am done with your lies! Allow me that!"

Matthew drops his head and drops down to one knee. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I am so sorry, Ty! I am weak, and, yes, I have lied, but I promise..." His words trail off as a car approaches. "That's her Uber, Sam whispers as she strokes Luna's head.

"Goodbye, Matthew!" She walks away towards her Uber as Matthew remains kneeling on the ground with his head in his hands. Ty, don't leave me. I can do better, I promise. Ty never looks back as she opens the door and sits. The Uber pulls away with Matthew still on his knees with the red brick lights showing on his face.

The night grows silent excepts for the car in the distance and Matthew lightly sobbing. Sam takes a pull of her pen and waits to see what will happen next. After a couple o minutes, Matthew stands and pulls out his phone. He dries his face and collects himself before making a call.

"Hey girl, you still at the party?" Okay, great, I'm on my way back. Don't worry about that. That's nothing." He shakes his body and proceeds to walk back to the way he and Ty came from moments earlier.

"There he goes back on his bullshit, Sam whispers. Ty did the right thing."

Sam feels sleep creep up and crawls into bed. Being a night owl is nothing less than a teacher of life where people are themselves so much that not even the darkest of the night can conceal them.