Hello. Goodbye - Chapter Three

Chapter Three.

The room full of skillfully artistic seniors were focused on their task at hand. Jamie was engrossed in capturing his models' poses on his sketch pad that the class went a bit over time. The tap on his door brought Jamie back to the present and he along with everyone else in his class packed up.

"Try completing your sketches by next session! I'm excited to see what you have all accomplished."

As the senior students passed him, some took the time to remark how great it was for the teacher to show such passion towards art to his pupils.

He loved his students at the old age home. He had registered to volunteer every other day of the working week to keep them occupied. It was a great way to pass his time while he got his gallery pieces together.

"Hey Jamie," the class' model, Kiera called out.
He turned to wait for her to catch up.
"Yes, Kiera?"
She looked at him uncertain.
"Well," she stuttered, "I just wanted to know if you were busy one Saturday?"
"Nope, not at all," he replied.
"Great... Well... I was wondering if you'd like to go to my friends' wedding with me?"
"Really? I'd love to," he humbly replied.
"Great," she smiled at him.

"What time is the church ceremony?" He asked.
"At 1 p.m. I can meet you at the church and then ride with you to the reception?"
"Sure, sounds great. Just email me the details and I'll meet you at the church before 1 on Saturday."
"Great. Thanks, Jamie. My boyfriend's away on business and won't be back in time," she started to sound irate that Jaime tried to nip the bud before it blossomed into world war three.
"Take it easy on him. For sure, he'd rather be home than on some business trip without you."

She blushed as she considered his words and chose to believe it.

With a wave good night, they were on their separate ways.

Before going home he decided to drop off at the grocery market to grab a few ingredients for supper.

Since moving back home with his parents, Jamie had picked up a few chores at home to compensate for room and board. His parents were only too happy to take in their son, who they missed for over three years. He in turn, definitely missed making dinners for his family and chauffeuring his little siblings to and from home, work and school; just having quality time with them.
Gabby was a soccer star at her high school and Libby was the academic who won awards at science fairs. Meanwhile, Michael followed after his big brother and was the artist who basked in the visual and dramatic arts.

As he prepared the family dinner, he was updated with Gabby's rank, Libby's latest theory and Mike's latest play. They all agreed to go out to see what's new at the theaters this coming Friday. It was moments like these when Jamie felt he couldn't wait to have a family of his own. Time was definitely ticking, but it didn't worry him much.

Meanwhile, a few cities away, Lily was making her way to her cousin's place. Her vacation began as of 4 p.m. this afternoon and she couldn't wait to get out of the office. She had managed to gain back one of those customers who let go of their business dealings. That earned her one pat on the back, but was immediately dismissed as another customer gave her some trouble on price matching. She could hardly wait for the chance to get going on recruiting new prospective customers, maybe then her luck as an executive would change.

Anyway, vacation meant not thinking about work, she warned herself.
Vacation meant she could have fun with the prospect of mingling with single men, and catching up with family and old friends. Just the latter made all the weight on her shoulders flit and float away like they didn't matter a damn's worth.

After a six hour bus ride, she arrived at the terminal to find her cousin, Winnie waiting for her.

"Lillllly!" Winnie exclaimed rushing towards her cousin.
"Hi Win!"
They hugged and went about the business of gathering Lily's luggage from the baggage claim.
"How do you feel?" Lily asked.
"I feel wonderful. I can't wait till you find someone who will leave that fuzzy feeling in your tummy."
"Aww," Lily sighed.
"Still haven't met anyone in the city?"
"Naw, no time. I was promoted and well... I don't know... let's not talk about work please..."

Winnie frowned a little and agreed. She didn't like seeing her best cousin sad.

"So, when do I get to meet the grooms men?" Lily joked.
"Not until the wedding day unfortunately. All of them are family men."
"Danny sucks," Lily joked.
Winnie laughed, "Sorry, Lil. It doesn't help that we're three years older than you."
"That never was an advantage, huh?"
"Well, at least you're still younger."
"Always a lighter side.."
"Always."
"I'm glad you gave in to taking him back," Lily confessed.
"I am too Lil. I'm so happy he still wanted me even after all that I told him."
"He wouldn't have been worth it if he didn't want you after all that you told him."
"I agree."

Reaching the car, the two sped off. Once they arrived home the two started on the final touches for the wedding ceremony that was in two days time.
Nothing better than a wedding to look forward to and keep you busy, Lily thought.