Jack looks down at his hands as he slowly tugs the gloves off, since it is warm in here. “I love painting.” he said quietly. “It, it’s been my escape and my rescue f-from the world since I was old enough to first paint… b-but that was when it was just me. Katelynn… she, she deserves all the best in the w-world and on my salary I can’t… can’t give it to her.”
He looks up at Grace, wondering just how it was he was admitting all this to a woman he barely knew. Maybe it was how she looked, or how she spoke to him. He didn’t know. “T-thing is I don’t have any credentials. I. I’ve only been an artist all my life. N-no other work anywhere. Who, who’d hire a guy with no experience? …e.. especially a guy like me.”
“My brother Bernard, would.” Grace said, daring to touch gently his shoulder, careful not to startle him. “And my boss, Harrison Drake, he would.”
She pulled back her hand slowly, smiling in the same way she would smile to her daughter, to bring her comfort. Now she hoped to bring some comfort to Jack.
“Jack, I’d have a rough life. I gave up my dreams to take care of my brother when he needed me, and I kept doing it when my daughter came to this world. It wasn’t fair for me, but I accepted all the jobs I could get, as long I could get money to take care of my family.” Maybe she wasn’t exactly the best role model, but it was all what was coming to her mind now. “It wasn’t until some months ago when I began to live the life I’ve always wanted. What I’m trying to say is, it doesn’t matter how deep is the river, if you can swim to cross it. These people I’ve mentioned, my brother, and my boss, always have their doors open for new employees. Just don’t give up.”
He listened, looking down at his hands though now and then he did look up at her, but then ashamedly looked down at his hands again. Jack bit at his bottom lip, shutting his eyes as he did.
“O… okay…” he said quietly. “I just want to… well. G-give her everything and we’re already living in a cramped apartment built more for one but w-we’re trying to save up to move into a b-bigger place. It’s just h-hard on us to do and.. y-yeah..” Jack trailed off and sighed again.
Jack Maple 