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“All I do i-is for her. And… heh…” he smiled faintly, looking away. “She did s-say I’m in touch w-with my more sen-sensitive side. Maybe a bit too much, if, if you ask me but… I really do w-want to do better for her. I want to b-be a stronger man for her. She deserves all the b-best and I know she loves me…” Jack looks back at Grace, smiling still. “And I love her too, m-more than I ever thought I could love anyone because… w-well. I am shy. Terribly so. B… but because of her I’m getting out more. This, this alone…”

He gestures to them sitting here, meeting. “Three m-months ago I never would have d-done this. I used to b-be such a shut in…”

“Changes are good, Jack. I’m really glad she helped you to change. My boyfriend did exactly the same with me…” 

Gracelyn could see the honesty on Jack’s eyes. She could see on them his honesty, his wish to become a better man for Katelynn. And that was something truly touching.

“Tell you what… Some months ago, I was an horrible person. I hated everything and everyone (the only one person I didn’t hate was my daughter Jess…). But the person I hated the most was my own brother. And why? I’ve told myself for years that it was because he’s gay, and those feelings of rejection and hate were projected also on other homosexuals I’ve met. But, was that the true reason why did I hate him? No. I was jealous. Jealous of the fact he had become a better person than me. A man who went to the university, who made his career… Bernie got a life, while I was stuck on my mother’s loss…”

Grace took a moment to take a deep breath, and continue. “But almost three months ago, I’ve met this man. Steve Campbell. His life hadn’t been exactly a path of roses. He had suffered a lot, but still, he was able to leave behind all his past to embrace a life with me and my daughter. We’re living together now. Even Jess began to call him ‘daddy’…” She stopped, blushing a little. “I’m rambling again… right?”

Jack shook his head. “No, n-not rambling. I find it in-interesting, listening to other people and-and how their live’s have changed. It’s… it’s good to change, but not too much. You can’t… really re-redo yourself. If you love someone, and they love you, it sh-should be for who you are. But improvements, i-if they’re needed, can be very good.”

He dug his hand against his chest, digging at the material of his shirt.

“I’ve g-gotten better… for me a-and for Katelynn… which is good. B-but I’m glad t-to hear that you have somebody who cares about you. A-and that you have a daughter! Th-tha’s wonderful. But.. have you made up wi-with your brother…?" 

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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…”

“No need to apologize, dear. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

Grace smiled warmly at him and touched his arm, trying to bring him some comfort. “It’s good to be able to express your feelings as you do. It’s a very rare quality, and one of your virtues.” She closed her eyes and sighed a little. The boy really needed to calm down a little. If she was a psychologist, sure she would know how to help him properly.

But all she had was her own experience.

“Trust me, Jack. If there were more men like you in this world, there would be no more wars, hungers and suffering all around. You’re a good person. Now, all you have to do is do all you could do for Katie. She, along with Danielle and Scarlet, is one of my best friends. And I want to know there’s some taking good care of her…”, she finished, smiling.

“All I do i-is for her. And… heh…” he smiled faintly, looking away. “She did s-say I’m in touch w-with my more sen-sensitive side. Maybe a bit too much, if, if you ask me but… I really do w-want to do better for her. I want to b-be a stronger man for her. She deserves all the b-best and I know she loves me…” Jack looks back at Grace, smiling still. “And I love her too, m-more than I ever thought I could love anyone because… w-well. I am shy. Terribly so. B… but because of her I’m getting out more. This, this alone…”

He gestures to them sitting here, meeting. “Three m-months ago I never would have d-done this. I used to b-be such a shut in…”

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“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…”

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This only went to further make him feel as though he wasn’t good enough for Katelynn. The fact her friend was telling him he should get another job for her, because honestly, is painting really a job? He asked for good fees, depending on how difficult the art piece was, but he could never ask for too much. Jack’s was was permanently dyed purple for now, as he listened to her.

“I-I’m not hoping to be a painter I am a p-painter.” he pointed out. “It, it’s how I get my income. I paint for people, I-I do portraits, land-landscapes and-and things. It’s what I a-am and it’s not enough f-for her. It-it’ll never be e-enough for her…” Jack said this, slightly bitterly, as he looks away. “Sh-she’s doing three jobs and s-she’s always so tired a-and even w-when I tell her she s-should drop one sh-she gets upset a-and I don’t want her upset b-but I don’t want her being so ti-tired either…”

“Oh, Jack…” This wasn’t what she wanted. Gracelyn didn’t want to see him reduced to a stuttering little mess. Carefully, she touched his hand, and she only pulled back when she managed to lock up her eyes with his.

“I believe I’m beginning to understand. But you don’t have to drop your work as painter, I never would ask you do that. What I’m trying to say is that sould another work, and keep working as painter. If she finds you getting a second job, she’ll feel sure to drop one at least.” she tried to explain.

“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.”

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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.

“Begginnings are always rough, Jack.” she spoke slowly, wondering if someday she’d say these same words to her daughter. Probably yes.

“I know you didn’t ask me for advice, but… don’t you think you should get another work? Not only for money, also for Katelynn’s sake. She’s working so much… You don’t have to give up your dream to become a painter, but I believe you should try to put it aside for a while, at least until you could get the apartment you want.”

Grace felt a little guilty. If it wasn’t because Bernard already had asked her about their old apartment in the Third Avenue… But, if things ended going as Bernard wanted, maybe Katelynn and Jack could get a new appartment, courtesy of Bernard. Grace prayed her brother’s plans worked for once. If they worked, they could make a great good, not only to Bernard’s life, also to Katelynn’s and Jack’s. But all depended on Wayne’s answer…

This only went to further make him feel as though he wasn’t good enough for Katelynn. The fact her friend was telling him he should get another job for her, because honestly, is painting really a job? He asked for good fees, depending on how difficult the art piece was, but he could never ask for too much. Jack’s was was permanently dyed purple for now, as he listened to her.

“I-I’m not hoping to be a painter I am a p-painter.” he pointed out. “It, it’s how I get my income. I paint for people, I-I do portraits, land-landscapes and-and things. It’s what I a-am and it’s not enough f-for her. It-it’ll never be e-enough for her…” Jack said this, slightly bitterly, as he looks away. “Sh-she’s doing three jobs and s-she’s always so tired a-and even w-when I tell her she s-should drop one sh-she gets upset a-and I don’t want her upset b-but I don’t want her being so ti-tired either…”

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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.

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The wink brought on a fresh blush on the man, his ears and cheeks turning purple. He licked his lips slowly before giving a nod of his head. “W-well… it. It falls on a Tuesday and.. and we both have to work. Kat-Katelynn has her three jobs to go to and I have… have to paint…” he trailed off, feeling pathetic.

She had three jobs. What did he do? Sit on his rear and paint all day. It was kind of pathetic. He shut his eyes and sighed.

“…sometimes I t-think I should get a r-real job.”

No wonder Katelynn had fallen in love with this guy. He was truly adorable, and his blushes were a great reflection of the rosy blush she had seen on Katelynn’s cheeks. Definitelly they were made for each other. But his anwer worried her a little.

“I think your job is really beautiful, Jack. It’s what makes you happy, right?”

She had dropped this question as carefully as she could. While one part of her agreed with him, thinking he should get another job for Katelynn’s sake; the other half knew how important it surely was for Jack his life as painter. 

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.”

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“Katelynn works for that company, p-part time now.” Jack admitted. “I’ve m-met Mr. Drake once, b-back when Katelynn was in h-hospital. He’s… well dressed. I guess.” he didn’t have much of an opinion on the man. How could you, on the man who your girlfriend used to crush over?

Sometimes he wondered if she took to him so quickly because he looked like Harrison who, ultimately, looked like Megamind. It was all a little confusing.

“He’s a good man. But I’m sure you’re almost as good as him, if not better than him.” Grace smirked, winking him an eye. She could notice how shy he was, which was truly adorable. In a way, he reminded her a bit her dear Steve, when they had begun their relationship. But she wanted to show Jack he hadn’t nothing to worry. She kept that soft, motherly smile on her face as she kept taking. 

“After all, you’re her boyfriend. Guess you two have big plans for Valentines Day, don’t you?”

The wink brought on a fresh blush on the man, his ears and cheeks turning purple. He licked his lips slowly before giving a nod of his head. “W-well… it. It falls on a Tuesday and.. and we both have to work. Kat-Katelynn has her three jobs to go to and I have… have to paint…” he trailed off, feeling pathetic.

She had three jobs. What did he do? Sit on his rear and paint all day. It was kind of pathetic. He shut his eyes and sighed.

“…sometimes I t-think I should get a r-real job.”

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Jack nodded as he pulled his backpack off and set it down on the ground before taking his seat, scooting closer to the table as he did. “O-oh um. Yes. I. I repaint photographs larger b-but I also do portraits but in my d-down time I work on my own art… in-including sculpture and painting, and… y-yeah.” he chewed at his bottom lip before smiling at her.

“A-and she tells me you’re a m-model? Actress?” he wasn’t sure.

“That’s really cool! I wish I could draw, but I’m awful…” she admitted, giggling a little. Grace could be good acting, cooking, even singing if she tried hard, but drawing? That was one of her weak spots.

“And yes, I’m an actress, and sometimes model, too. I’m working for Megamind Industries. Have you ever heard of it? It’s this big multinational empire ruled by Harrison Drake…”

“Katelynn works for that company, p-part time now.” Jack admitted. “I’ve m-met Mr. Drake once, b-back when Katelynn was in h-hospital. He’s… well dressed. I guess.” he didn’t have much of an opinion on the man. How could you, on the man who your girlfriend used to crush over?

Sometimes he wondered if she took to him so quickly because he looked like Harrison who, ultimately, looked like Megamind. It was all a little confusing.

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He spotted the woman and smiles faintly; trying to be brave, and walks over to her, adjusting his backpack as he does.

“H-hello…! You m-must be Grace..! O-or do you prefer Gracelyn..? Miss. Jones? I.. I don’t… know..” oh yes, off to a grand start indeed. He steeled his jaw and held his hand out. “I-it’s nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too, Jack.” she said gently, shaking his hand. “My friends call me Grace, so it isn’t different for you. Any Katelynn’s friend is my friend, and you’re the man who stole her heart… so call me Grace.”

She gestured to the seat before her. “Katie told me you’re an artist. A painter, right?”

Jack nodded as he pulled his backpack off and set it down on the ground before taking his seat, scooting closer to the table as he did. “O-oh um. Yes. I. I repaint photographs larger b-but I also do portraits but in my d-down time I work on my own art… in-including sculpture and painting, and… y-yeah.” he chewed at his bottom lip before smiling at her.

“A-and she tells me you’re a m-model? Actress?” he wasn’t sure.