February 2023

“So, I have some news for you,” Matthew Rhodes Bacaluso-Leyman (Rhody) said over the phone to his friend, Levi Cranston.
“You’re moving to Boston?” Levi asked, excitedly.
“Uh, no. Wishful thinking, but no. My sister is moving to the LA area.”
“Oh nice! What made her decide to move there?”
“Her wife got a new job, and so she thought she might be able to level up as a chef there, which I think is very probable,” Rhody said.
“Did you like LA when you were there?” Levi asked.
“Maybe not my hangout spot of choice. I much prefer San Francisco and San Diego, but I enjoyed my time in LA. Zach and I went there for a few days, and it was one of the best vacations I have ever had.”
“Mackenzie and I went there once for vacation. As much as I enjoyed it, I much preferred San Francisco and San Diego.”
“Between San Francisco and San Diego, which do you prefer?”
“San Francisco by a small margin. What about you?”
“San Diego by a small margin.”

September 2008

“Hi Rhody, how are you doing?” Matthew Rhodes Bacaluso-Leyman’s (Rhody’s) best friend, Zach Niornski, asked over the phone.
“Like complete shit. This started a couple days after my dad and I came back from our college visit in Evansville. Literally one of the worst colds I’ve ever had,” Rhody responded.
“Sorry to hear that. But how was the weekend getaway?”
“We were gone from Wednesday night to Sunday evening, and we had a blast. Didn’t realize how awesome the college is. As of now, that one is my top choice.”
“And you’re planning to go into engineering, right?” Zach asked.
“Mechanical engineering. And you’re planning to do something in computer science, right?” Rhody responded.
“Yes, I think so. Just not sure where I’m going yet.”
“Yeah. I just can’t think that far ahead right now.”
“Did you go to school today?”
“No.”​

Christmas 2015

Jayne and Rhody Leyman were back home in Valparaiso, Indiana for the holidays. They were celebrating with their dad and their stepmom, Estrella.

Rhody was living in Wicker Park, Chicago at the time with a couple friends. Jayne, his older sister by two years, was living in Grayslake, Illinois with her girlfriend, who was currently in LA area visiting her parents.

Rhody fell asleep on the couch in the living room while watching TV. He was so sound asleep, that when Jayne tried to wake him up, he wouldn’t budge. His head was turned to the right, into his pillow, and his breathing was very steady. Jayne lay on the couch next to him, and, out of curiosity, placed her ear against her younger brother’s chest so that she could listen to his heart beating.​

November 2022

“How was your birthday?” Matthew Rhodes (Rhody) Bacaluso-Leyman asked his friend, Levi Cranston.
“It was a blast. Mackenzie and I took a weekend trip to Portland, Maine and had some kick-ass lobster rolls,” Levi replied.
“I am so jealous. I would love to go to Portland some time.”
“It is so worth it. This is, believe it or not, our first time exploring Portland, despite the fact that we went to Rhode Island all the time as kids.”
“Ally and I are trying to figure out where to go for a getaway trip. We are in between the Hamptons, Niagara Falls, and Philadelphia,” Rhody said.
“Go to Portland, Maine,” Levi said.
“I will take your word for it. And if we agree on that, we could stop by Cambridge and see you all. Didn’t you and your other friends do something for your birthday?”
“Yeah, we had pizza and spent a night in and played video games until 4 am. Hands-down one of the best birthdays I’ve ever had. It was me, Jack, Asad, Kevin, Jing, Wong, and David and Brody Ingram. David and Brody visited from San Francisco for a few days.”
“Very nice. I’m planning something similar for my birthday. As much as I love going out on the town, there are also days when I like staying in.”
“Agreed.”