“M-maybe…” Jack whispered. But again, who would hire him? Harrison? That… would be so uncomfortable but if he really did give people jobs like that, people he knew, maybe he stood half a chance at getting work that didn’t involve working odd hours and painting from start to finish. Not that he didn’t love it. He loved painting but… painting wasn’t bringing him enough money.
Not any more.
“I just. Want to give her e-everything because I l-love her so much b-but then I see h-how strong and b-beautiful she is and I-I can’t h-help but wonder wh-what I did to de-deserve knowing her a-at all let alone l-loving her. She’s t-the best thing I-I’ve ever h-had and I don’t w-want to lose her to an-anything or an-anyone but ho-how would I fight fo-for her? All I… all I can give her is who I am and… i-it’s not much but it’s all I have…” he looked down at he hand on his, which was shaking slightly. “…I just f-feel so pathetic sometimes.”
Grace listened to his ramblings patiently, though her soft look ended turning into a glare. How could he say such things about himself? What have the world done to this poor guy’s self-esteem? It hurt her to see him like this, so desperatelly in love, yet unable to love himself completelly.
“Jack, STOP!”, she exclaimed, cutting him a little. “First of all, you AREN’T pathetic. From this on, I want you to look yourself on the mirror and remember all the good things you have. Love yourself a little. Please. Second: if you want to deserve her love, just love her as much as she does you.”
Her expression softened a little. “Every time we’re together, she talks a lot about you. She keeps telling me that you’re the best of her life, and how much she wants to be the woman that you deserve.” Grace leaned a little forward, and smiled. “Jack, you can do this. You have a lot in you, I can see it, Katelynn can see it, everyone who has ever talked to you surely could see it. You’re in this world for a reason: to make Katelynn the happiest woman of this planet. And there’s so many things you can do for her… I think it’s worth it to make some little sacrifices, if it is for Katelynn’s sake. And keep loving her as much as you do. It’s absolutelly beautiful…”
He felt ashamed now for going off the way he had. That was silly. That was weak. Jack shut his eyes as he listened, now and then opening them to look at Grace with an apologetic look on his face, tinted purple as it was. Shakily, he tried, and smiled for her before biting his bottom lip and sighs.
“I’m sorry. I. I didn’t mean to… to go off li-like that… it just… mm. Ha-happens, sometimes… I’m so so-sorry…”
Jack Maple 