Chapter 52: Matt
The next morning, the house feels different. The silence that had lingered over the past two days is finally gone, replaced by the familiar chatter of breakfast. Although everyone knows William will still be leaving, they choose to make the most of the time they have left together.
Gretchen announces that she's making a hearty meat stew for dinner because Matt is returning from his trade route, earning an eager grin from Craig and an excited cheer from Emma.
After breakfast, Gretchen heads to the market to buy the meat, while Rob makes his way to the town gates to wait for Matt's arrival. Craig leaves for his daily diving session with Hans, leaving William alone with Emma, who is still struggling to accept that he will soon be gone.
Emma sits cross-legged on the floor with a sewing kit, quietly mending an old dress. She hasn't looked up or spoken a word since the others went out, her small face fixed in a tense, stubborn expression.
William steps into the room and crouches down beside her. “Emma?”
She keeps her gaze fixed on the fabric, completely ignoring his attempt to draw her attention.
Finally, as if growing tired of his persistent presence, she relents. “Don't bother,” she says, her voice flat. “You're just going to leave, like you always do.”
“I have to,” William says softly, leaning in a little closer. “But that doesn't mean I want to leave you.”
“You could just stay,” she mutters, her voice cracking slightly as she finally lifts her head. Her eyes are bright with unshed tears. “You could tell that man no. Dad didn't want you to go either.”
William reaches out, gently placing a hand on her arm. “Because it's something I need to do. If I stay here, I won't be able to learn what I'm meant to learn... or become someone you all can depend on. Someone who can keep everyone safe.”
Emma sniffles, wiping her nose with the back of her sleeve, her tears dripping down onto the dress in her lap. “And who is going to keep you safe? After all, you'll be alone in the capital.”
“I will be fine,” William says gently, leaning in to wrap an arm around her shoulders in a soft hug. “You saw Mark, right? He's going to take good care of me, and even if he doesn't, I'm capable of taking care of myself. Besides, I'll come visit whenever I have time, and I'll write you letters. So you'd better learn how to read and write so you can write me back.”
Later that afternoon, the front door swings open, and a broad-shouldered young man in travel-worn clothes steps inside with a heavy pack slung over one shoulder.
Emma's face lights up. “Matt!”
A warm smile spreads across Matt's face as he lets the pack slide to the floor.
William watches quietly from where he stands behind Emma.
Even though we see each other every month, he somehow looks older every time he comes home, William thinks.
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William studies him more closely. Months of loading and unloading caravans beneath the blazing sun have broadened his frame and darkened his skin. Combined with the rough scruff creeping along his jaw, Matt looks every bit the dependable caravan hand he's grown into.
While laughing at Emma's excitement, Matt looks over and gives William a small, knowing nod. There are questions he doesn't ask, and William realizes Rob has already told him everything on the walk back from the gates.
Behind him, Rob steps inside after finishing up outside.
“At least let him take a seat and have some water,” Rob says with a chuckle.
Hearing this, Emma immediately turns and darts into the kitchen to fetch a cup while Rob heads back outside to bring in the rest of Matt's gear.
Matt enters the main room and sets his pack beside a chair. “Is Craig still out with that old crane?” he asks William.
A confused expression crosses William's face.“If you mean Hans... then yes. He said he'd be coming home early today.”
Matt pulls out a chair and sits down just as Emma returns, handing him a cup of water. After quenching his thirst, he sets the empty cup on the table. “That's him, alright,” Matt replies with a small laugh. “Everyone usually calls him the 'old crane by the river.'”
He pauses for a moment before letting out a thoughtful sigh. “I told Craig he should join Dad and me in the caravan, but he has no interest in becoming a merchant.”
William takes the chair beside him.“Well, knowing Craig, it would've been more surprising if he was interested.”
“True enough,” Matt admits with a faint smile. “I guess he was never really a people person, was he? Diving alone in the river probably suits him a lot better.”
The front door opens once more, and this time Rob and Gretchen step inside together.Tucked beneath Gretchen's arm is a neatly wrapped parcel of fresh beef for tonight's dinner.
Gretchen hurries over to Matt, peppering him with questions about his journey while affectionately ruffling his hair. Matt's face immediately turns red, drawing warm laughter from everyone in the room. Before long, Craig bursts through the front door, his clothes still damp from the river. Judging by the water dripping from his sleeves, he'd been too eager to see Matt to dry himself properly.
Dinner is everything Gretchen hoped it would be. Everyone helps themselves to generous bowls of thick beef stew, a rare luxury in a household where boar and pork are far more common. By the time the meal is over, Emma is rubbing her stuffed stomach with a miserable expression, earning another round of quiet laughter from the family.
Later that night, William and Matt lie on their beds, staring up at the wooden beams overhead. After several minutes of comfortable silence, William finally speaks.
“You know I'm leaving, right?”
From the bed across the room, Matt responds with a quiet hum.
“So... is there anything you want to say?”
“Good luck.”
William props himself up on one elbow, staring at Matt in disbelief.
“That's it? You're not even curious? Or angry?”
Matt thinks for a moment before answering.
“Not really. I always knew you weren't the kind of person who'd be satisfied staying here forever. Sooner or later, you were going to leave and see the wider world. I made peace with that a long time ago.”
William opens his mouth to respond, but no words come. He slowly closes it again.
Matt turns his head toward him, a confident smile spreading across his face.
“I know you don't want to spend your whole life like the rest of us. You've always dreamed bigger than this town. So go to the capital. Chase those dreams, and do everything you can to achieve them.”
William remains silent for a long moment before a small smile slowly forms on his face.