chapter 6 it almost all went to shit part 1

May 2015

Now I could continue with all the phenomenal dates we had as a couple, and all the extra runs she went on to stay in shape, but May just as acceptance letters came out and at this point this sole event almost completely destroyed our relationship and almost never allowed for the creation of the 250lbs woman who caused me to faint. It was Saturday April 2nd and Anna was having a party celebrating getting into Penn state to play for their lacrosse and swimming team, and in their honors engineering college. I as her boyfriend was invited and had a surprise for her. For weeks, I said that I had not heard from Penn state, but I got in and wanted to make it as a surprise gift for her to know her boyfriend would be studying right alongside her for four years of fun. That didn't happen.

The party started at 12 in the afternoon, and I got about 1/2 an hour early to help Anna and her parents set up. I walked up to the front door with not my finest gift wrapping job, but it was acceptable. To again almost like she just watched for people to show up Mrs. Burg swung the front door open and greeted me with a big smile saying "Hello, just in time if I may say we need some help setting some last minute things up if you don't mind?" I placed my gift on the table next to the front door and followed diligently behind Anna's mom to the kitchen to set up the food for the party.

The party began and Anna was greeted by so many of her friends for this occasion, but yet again I felt so out of place. Consider it years of being the guy who rose through the ranks but feels so out of place with ex superiors or getting promoted to your boss's level and now being equals with him. It was a gut feeling that would not help as the evening progressed. I always dressed in a collared shirt and jeans and everyone from our grade was dressed in exercise clothes, except Anna who was wearing an elegant form fitting dress. For the first hour of the party I floated around just not really doing anything, until Anna's mom surprised me.

"Are you enjoying the party Matt?" she said skeptically as she saw my expression. "I looked at her and said, "Something just doesn't feel right. Most of Anna's friends are friends with Andrew and I feel out of place when I know I am actually supposed to be here." Her smile dimmed a bit and asked in straight shooter fashion, "You haven't heard back from Penn State yet have you." A smile slowly returned to my face and said, "Can you keep a secret?" Mrs. Burg's eyes lit up at that comment and said, "Yes I could, what is it?" I leaned in and whispered, "I have been lying to Anna about them not getting me a decision letter but I knew about two weeks ago, and in the Jewelry box I made her is a copy of my letter of acceptance. I thought that would be a better gift than money or a simple congratulations card since she wants to be together in college."
Anna's mom smile turned into a devilish grin and whispered back, "You'll be happy to know she inherited her blushing from her father when she lies, so you don't have to worry about a thing." That derived a little chuckle, and a smile on my face and said softly "Really? Ha, that must be really funny to use that trick against her just like your husband." She patted me on the shoulder and said, "Now go on enjoy the party, Anna has to be here somewhere." I said with a revigorated smile, "Thank you, needed that."

Now Mr. and Mrs. Burg are both born and raised Europeans so the alcohol for those below the age of 21 might have been flowing a bit too much, and as the evening progressed it almost perfectly set up the incident well. So, everything was going well but the farther into that afternoon the less sober Anna became, and around 6pm and Anna at this point more than slightly inebriated said to me after nearly smacking me in the face to gesture to were the beer was kept, "Would you be a good little boyfriend and refill my cup, and actually get a cup of this fine beer for yourself?"

I obliged and took the long way to the kitchen to get two root beers since I know Anna couldn't tell the difference at this point to be stopped by Mrs. Burg, "What are you doing Matt?" I looked at her and said softly, "I think Anna has had enough to drink for a while, and I know she can't tell the difference between root beer and beer when this inebriated." Anna's mom covered he mouth to trying to hide her smile of approval and said, "You don't always have to be the best boyfriend you can have a little fun too you know." I cracked a smile "Yes, but I care about her a bit too much, and if I am going to drink I am going to have some very nice aged bourbon. Also, we don't need Anna growing a beer gut."

Anna's mom started laughing and grabbed her belly with both hands and said, "Oh you have such a good sense of humor. I have held you up long enough; maybe I did have a bit too much beer when I was a younger woman." That caused me, her, and her husband to laugh. I started walking back and turned then froze dead in my tracks. I don't know how Andrew got in there, he was a master party crasher, but this went too far. While I had left to get Anna a non-alcoholic beverage he must have waltzed right in since everyone else was tipsy at best no one cared and he sweat talked her or something because he was sitting on her couch with her in his lap making out quite passionately with his arms wrapped around her. Something in me just broke.

I just snuck out, and went home. I kept my shit together until I got a message from Ralph when I was in my room alone. It was a screen shot of the class Facebook page with a selfie of Anna and Andrew kissing. Let's just say I finally got around to clearing off my desk. I put my computer on my now clean desk and messy room and started typing because whenever I tried to write it but it was just deformed scribbles and not words. I didn't leave my room until I had a letter I found satisfactory to not hurt Anna the same way she did to me whether intentional or unintentional. I know when she was drunk, but it was like hypnosis you don't do anything you wouldn't do. I also called my admissions councilor at Penn State and told them I was declining to attend. Then I called up the other school I applied to in Boston and conformed my attendance for the class of 2019.