[CHRIS EVANS] — you see [MATTHEW SMITH] there? yeah, they’re [THE DESPONDENT] and they’ve lived in Havenport for [A YEAR]. [HE/HIM] are [COMPASSIONATE] & [CREATIVE], even though most people think they’re [VULNERABLE] & [SELF DESTRUCTIVE].
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Matthew grew up with a brother five years younger than him, and two doting but struggling parents. Matthew lost his mother pretty early on leaving their father to tend for his two sons. Matthew decided to study to become a veterinarian in the future but had to drop out after his father’s unexpected death.
Ended up raising his brother before Julian went off to college himself. Not really having the funds to pick up his studies anymore, he started working here and there and ended up working for this riding school where he met the Julienne.
Julienne was an upcoming singer, there to record her music video which starred the horses Matthew took care of. He taught her how to ride the horse and when filming was over they simply clicked, and started dating.
Over the years they got closer, Matthew moving to L.A. to be with her, and even welcomed their little daughter Eva to the world. They engaged a registered partnership rather than marrying, as Julienne wanted to focus on her singing career, and already had a fan club going for her, platinum records and performances in North America and Europe.
One afternoon when they were driving home, tragedy hit as Matthew had to swerve out for a wrong-way driver, losing his entire family in manner of seconds while he only got off with broken ribs and a concussion.
The trial that followed against the woman who took the life of his family was gruelling and took more from Matthew than he was able to endure. So as soon as the woman was found guilty and he had to deal with the aftermaths, he pushed everyone he knew away and left L.A. to go to the small town of Havenport and be away from everything.
It’s been almost two years since the accident and Matthew is still recovering, throwing himself into his work as a stable hand. He’s still trying to find that light to keep him going.
He has six chickens that occupy the chicken coop in his back yard and grows vegetables and fruit he uses for dinner himself.
No longer listens to the radio because he had a breakdown the last time he heard Julienne’s song coming on. So now he just avoids it.
Has had no contact with his brother since the trial, pushing him away as he’s not ready to face him knowing he would only be disappointed by what he sees.
On his chest, Matthew has a tattoo that is a sound wave. It starts with Eva saying ‘hi daddy’ and ends with Julienne saying ‘happy birthday.’ It was from a video Julienne sent him on his birthday when he was away for the weekend with friends.
He brought his own horse along from L.A. that he was allowed to put in one of the stables he works at. Her name is Lucy.
Matthew has enough money left to him after Julienne’s death, who had put him in her will. But one would never guess from what he does for a job, how he has a pretty small house and wears old clothing.
His birthday is the fourth of July, which is pretty rad.
Stable hand at Haven Farms.