He calls Tanya

"Yes."

"Hi Tanya, it's Matt."

"Oh. Hi Matt."

"Listen, I was wondering if you wanted to get together tonight."

"You're kidding. You're asking me on a date?"

"Well, you didn't seem to have a problem asking me to bartend for your dad's party yesterday so I figured--"

"You figured wrong. I have a boyfriend."

"Yeah, but it's just Jordan and we all know he's worthless."

"So?"

"So, why go out with a jerk?"

"You saw my dad, right? You know, dicking around with every woman at the party. Drooling over Natasha. Perving over me. Pretty much the only thing with a pussy he didn't pay any attention to was my mom."

"I'm not sure where you're going with this."

"So, what do you think he did when my mom told him she wanted a divorce?"

"Uh, he made sure his prenup was up to date?"

"Good guess but no. He beat the shit out of her."

"Oh." This had gotten depressing all of a sudden. "I'm sorry."

"Yeah, I was too. But I learned a lesson. Even if we assume I liked you enough to go out with you in the first place, consider what would happen next. Jordan would find out. He'd come over. And he'd beat the shit out of me. Just like he did when he heard a rumor I'd flirted with some guy from South High in Torrance. And if you tried to do anything about it, he'd beat the shit out of you, too. In fact, he'd beat the shit out of you just on general principal even if you didn't try to do anything. So, what can I say, Matt. Buzz off and don't get anyone killed."

"Shit, Tanya. What can I do?"

"I already told you. Stay away from me."

That probably was the smart thing to do. But Matt wasn't sure he was up to doing the smart thing. He didn't know whether he had any chance with her for himself, but he had to figure out a way to get her away from an abusive boyfriend.

Unfortunately, he didn't think there was anything he could do right then.

"Just call me if you're in any danger, Tanya. I will do everything I can to help you."

"Yeah, sure Matt. Everything you can do. Wonderful, that's a big fat nothing."

Well, that was depressing. Still, he had his evening open. He could try someone else.