Page 73 of Wolves & Watercolors
Something primal drives me, and I’m moving out of the garden before a decision is made. When I glance back, Heath is leaning his head back against the tree trunk with his eyes closed and a contented smile hinting on his face. It bolsters my resolve, knowing the man who I consider an uncle supports me.
It takes only minutes to reach my family’s cabin and gather a few belongings. My mother works in the kitchen, layering pastry while she hums along to classic rock.
“Mom.” I step closer. “I’m going after Aurora.”
She turns, lines forming around her warm eyes as she smiles at me. “My sweet boy, I’m very glad to hear that.” Despite the flour on her hands, she pulls me into a tight hug. “Go get her.”
“I’m not sure when I’ll be back. If she wants to go home, I’m going with her.”
“Alright, sweetheart.” She squeezes my arm, leaving another flour-print. “I’m proud of you.”
Frowning, I reiterate, “I’m probably moving away.”
“I had a feeling this would happen,” she says with a wry smile, finally reaching for a kitchen towel. “It’ll all work out. Don’t worry. Just go get her.”
I’ll have to call my dad later because he’s helping my brother today. Aurora has a head start of several hours and I can’t wait any longer.
The thought that it might not work out terrifies me. But the idea of losing her is worse. Everything in me craves her presence, yearns for her laugh and her touch. It’ll have to work out - I’ll do whatever is necessary.
Clutching my backpack, I head toward the parking lot and jog to my family’s spare truck. The keys wait on the sun visor, and then I’m pulling onto the dirt road that will take me away from the only home I’ve ever known and toward the home I’m choosing.
XIII . Motels, Magic,
& Mates
Aurora
After a drive-thru dinner, I pull into the motel parking lot. The sun has barely set, but the atmosphere feels heavy. When I step out of my car, I spot a handful of men standing by the fenced-in pool, smoking. They look like thugs with dirty wife-beater tank tops, baggy jeans, and chains. Dangerous people in the city look nothing like them, but it doesn’t change the warning I feel when I study their body language. Their eyes follow me up to the motel room.
Heart in my throat, I click the safety lock and wedge the chair under the door handle along with a rolled-up towel. Thesecurity measures help me to relax. Flopping on the bed, I pull out my cell phone. I’ve barely touched it the last week or so. The idea of scrolling social media makes my head hurt, but I do have a few messages from Jarrod.
Anxiety fizzing in my chest, I hit the call button. After four rings, he picks up. Voices blur together in the background.
“The Buzz Gallery.”
“Hi, Jarrod. It’s Aurora. I saw you had something you wanted to discuss?”
“Yes, love! I reviewed the pictures you emailed over.” His voice is high and bright. “I’ve got to say, your work has never looked this good. Whatever you did is working! I can feel the atmosphere through the pixels. I’m dying to get my hands on the real thing.”
“Well, I’m on my way back. I can get them to you tomorrow night or the next morning.”
“Alright. So, what was it that inspired you?”
“Oh, just being out here in nature, I think. I also met someone. But he lives here, so that’s over.”
“Aurora, love,” he says, suddenly stern. “If you come back here to Los Angeles and go back to painting sad little flowers, I will never forgive you. If you found a muse, you’d better turn your ass around to go back to them.”
“I can’t. I’ve got responsibilities. And maybe I like living in the city.” The excuse sounds weak and my voice loses conviction before I can finish speaking.
“No one likes living here. And you wouldn’t need a second job, I bet. I’m sure the cost to live there is lower. And I can sell these paintings, love. I’ll make sure you have a wait-list of buyers. We can triple your prices, I swear.”
“You haven’t even seen them in person yet!”
“Ship them! Don’t you dare show up back in this concrete butthole.”
My laugh is manic. “Jarrod, are you freaking kidding me?”
“I never kid about art, love. Oh, I’ve got customers. See you soon, or not! Bye, now.” The line goes dead.
