I was moving canvases when
he appeared. It'd been weeks since I'd heard from him, let alone SEEN him. I
tried to act nonchalant about the whole thing, fastest way to get under his
skin. Well, as under his skin as one could get...
Jade: Give me a hand here, Ryan. I have to get these paintings shipped, my
gallery wants them next week.
I was pulling a huge 6 x 10 foot painting across my tiny studio loft
apartment, sweating my ass off, but he just smiled and watched. He was enjoying
it.
Ryan: I've come for those chemicals, love.
Jade: I haven't moved 'em. Thought if I did, I'd lose a hand.
I grunted under the exertion, and he finally chose to help. He hoisted the
heavy canvas easily and hefted it across the room.
Jade: Be careful, damnit, it's still--
Ryan: ...wet?
His eyes twinkled.
Jade: Never miss a lick, do ya?
It was my turn to grin.
Ryan: Never, lass.
I sat down on a crate and looked him over. Old cargo pants, Vans, grey tank
top, and a flannel shirt hanging open. Always the flannel. I was tempted to ask
him from time to time if he thought he was Eddie Vedder, but it would have been
lost on him.
Jade: you finally find someplace to crash?
He nodded, gathering up the jars, full of chemicals that had, so far, chosen
to remain nameless, but had started to make the metal lids on the jars bulge,
and put them in a nearby box. I watched to see if any of his fingers
disintegrated.
Jade: why not just stay here...
He carefully set the box by the door and turned back to me.
Ryan: Little one...
I knew that tone.
Jade: Never mind, I don't really want to know what you're up to.
His voice was low, gentle, musical.
Ryan: I need you with me. I could use a mind like yours.
My eyes narrowed.
Jade: "Use" is the term that just made you crash and burn, boyo.
He took a couple of steps towards me, his voice still soft. I gave him a
warning glare, but he was nonplussed. Nothing ever seemed to phase him, and it
drove me crazy, in more ways than one.
Ryan: I've told you how I feel. About everything...
He put a hand to my face, my entire cheek and chin swallowed up in it. I
closed my eyes to stop my head from reeling and instead ended up focusing on
the smell of his skin.
Ryan: ... and about you, as well.
My voice was a whisper. It was all I could manage.
Jade: You've told me many things, Ryan.
I opened my eyes and he was studying my face. There was a long, quiet
moment, and then he enfolded me in his arms and I buried my face in his
stomach. We stayed that way for a long time, he and I, not a word uttered
between us. After a time, I playfully pushed him away.
Jade: Now take those green, oozing things out of here before they kill my cat.
He moved toward the door, then turned back to me.
Ryan: Know that you have my heart, sweet one.
I sighed, my heart in a puddle, draining into my toes. But the question
arose, as always, every time he made to leave. I wondered if he ever tired of
hearing it.
Jade: but, when will you...?
He picked up the box, opened the front door.
Ryan: Soon. You have my word.
I sat and stared at the closed door for many minutes, letting the quiet
creep back into the room. Trying to remember what I had been doing before.
Jade: I just hope it's all worth it, Ryan. I really do.
To be continued…