Hello. Goodbye - Chapter Six

Chapter Six

"You know you're welcome to stay, right?"
"Yeah, I know. I just really need to go back."
"Aww, Lily. I really can't thank you enough."
"Actually, I think you can. You've worn out your gratitude, Winnie. You can stop saying it."
Winnie gave Lily the biggest hug ever and wished her a safe drive home.
"Thanks, Winnie. See you after the honeymoon, I guess?"
"Sure! I'll give you a call."
"OK."

Just as she stepped out of the house, Lily was surprised to see Jamie leaning casually on the side of her car with his arms crossed and a grin on his face.

"Hello, Lily."
"What are you doing here?"
"You're not going to greet me?"
"Hello, Jamie... Now, your turn... why are you here?"
"Thought I might take you out while you're still here."

Moving past him, she popped her trunk open and shoved her bags inside.

"Opening up a flower shop back home?" He chuckled over her shoulder.
"What? Oh, no... The flowers were a waste so I'm going to bring them to work and put some in vases around my place."
"So, have you changed offices at work? Did you take my office, too?"

She winced visibly.

"So you know that I got your job?" she asked cautiously.
"Well someone's got to pick up the workload, right?"

She couldn't figure out if his questions were laced with sarcasm. He looked like he didn't have much sleep, and didn't bother the shave since his five o'clock shadow was very apparent.

"Yeah... Sure."
"I'm guessing you didn't open your purse last night, huh?"
"No, I didn't. Did you open it?"
"You won't know unless you open it."

Lily obliged by resting her bag against the now closed trunk of her car. Meanwhile, he leaned a hip against the rear door looking over to peep into her bag.

There it was.
"What is this, she asked?"
"Unfold it," he instructed.

Unfolding the piece of paper, her heart felt like it was going to jump out of her throat.

Looking up at her from the piece of unfolded paper was herself. Not only herself, but Jamie was there as well.

"What's this?" She asked.
"Proof."
"Of what?"
"That I'm not just an ex-coworker. That there's potential here for us to be friends."

Indeed there was.
He quickly sketched the hallway where they'd always greet each other. Another was of then in the church. The second last was of her tugging on her lapels. At this, she wondered if she really did look at him that way. And lastly, was of her singing at the piano last night.

"I don't get the last part."
"We have the same taste in music. That's a great basis on friendship. Don't you think?"
How could she not agree when he looked like a little boy smug at making his point.
"I do agree. That is a good basis."
"So... Will you stay a bit longer?"
"I'm going to have to check into a hotel or something."
"Let's figure that out later. Let's drop your car off at my place and I can take you to my class."
"Are you serious? I have to sit in that car again?"
"Come on! What did she ever do to you?"
"SHE gives me heart attacks when I sit in her."
He laughed it off, "fine, we'll drop my car off and we'll take yours."
"Sounds good!"
"You've run this round, lady. Next time, I win."
"We'll see about that."

It was a Sunday but the old age home was open to visitors at any hour just as long as visitors signed in at the front desk. Jamie took her hand to lead the way to the art room where he taught on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
The room was set up with easels surrounding a pedestal in the center.
"Go on, sit down in the center."
"Aren't we going to get in trouble for being in here?"
"No, don't worry. I use this place sometimes to fine-tune my art. They let me use this room in exchange for the free art classes."
"Wow, things are falling into place for you."
He shrugged, "I'm glad that everyone's been so understanding and supportive about this new path I'm on."
Unlocking a wall cabinet, he brought out a few poster sized canvasses and sketchpads.

"Will those be a part of your show?"
"Yes," he answered as he displayed the two canvasses on the nearest easels.
"May I see?"
"These paintings you can, my sketchbook however is something sacred. I'd rather unveil it to everyone at my show."
"When is it?"
"It's still tentative but I'm aiming for late August."
Silence filled the room. He turned from where he stood gathering his art supplies and found Lily staring at one of his paintings.
"You paint your students while they paint Kiera?" She asked with amazement.
"Yes," he replied, walking toward her.

"I thought you would have been trying to capture Kiera's beautiful legs."
"Naw, I leave that up to my students."
"This is beautiful. You really captured the moment."
"I tried."
"I never would have guessed."
"Guessed what?"
"That you were an artist."
"It was a lost passion."
"But you definitely found it, again."
"Thanks... Now stay still."
"Wha... no..." she shook her head.
"Come on, Lily. Please?"
"No-"

"Excuse me," someone knocked and peeped around the door.
"Hey Albert, my friend. How are you?"
"Just coming by to get you. You said to call you when my family came today."

Lily smiled at the shy little old man.
"Great! I'll be there in a few minutes. Albert, this is Lily, my friend. Lily this is Albert my student and friend here at the home."
Lily walked over to shake the old man's hand.
"Pleasure to meet you. Will Jamie be taking a portrait of your family?"
"I wouldn't say portrait, Lily. Just a few sketches of three generations bonding."
"What a great idea. Do you mind Albert if I watch? I promise I can blend into the background. I'm an expert."

"You will do no such thing. But yes, you can come with Jamie, of course."
Lily blushed, helped Jamie gather his equipment and walked side by side with him in the corridor.
She was beginning to feel comfortable in this foreign place by the minute.
Looking up at Jamie to her right, she smiled brightly.
"What are you smiling about?" he asked amused.
"I don't know. This is all just so exciting."
He laughed, "You're so adorable, Lily."
And draped his left arm around her shoulders as they walked towards Albert's room.

The two sat side by side on the floor in the corner of the room, with their knees bent as drawing tables. He encouraged her to sketch along with him. So she did. She was no Da Vinci but it felt so right being here. Witnessing the bonding between Albert and his granddaughter on his lap as she gurgled and giggled as he tickled her. His daughter watched on.

Leaning on Jamie's shoulder she peaked at his sketches. He managed to capture the moments so well. She was reminded of the sheet of sketch paper with all the moments they shared. Lily shook her head with amazement while still leaning on his shoulder. She looked up at him to watch his face as he worked.
"You're amazing," she whispered.