Page 5 of Redemption
Henry took the brush out of my hand and examined it closer.
“This—this is an oil paintbrush?” He scoffed. “Sophia, the fumes would build up in here. You’ve just got one small window.”
I took the brush back. “I know that. I'm not going to paint in here.”
Henry's eyes lit up. “Oh, you finally plan on painting downstairs?”
“I was actually planning on painting at the beach.”
He nodded slowly, rubbed his chin, and asked, “What will you be painting out there?” His voice trailed off into a mumble as Emma squealed and wrapped her arms around me.
“This is such a great idea. I want to come paint with you.”
“I would love that,” I said, returning her hug.
Henry cleared his throat and picked at a fingernail. “Hey, you know, that’s kind of a long way to walk. I could drive you out there if you’d like, if Emma's busy.”
“Thanks, Henry. That's very nice of you,” I said.
“And I was thinking?—”
The chime from the front door downstairs cut him off.
He chuckled and pointed over his shoulder. “I better go see who’s visiting the gallery.”
Before committing to closing the door behind him, he leaned back into the room.
“I'll tell you what, Sophia—finish whatever oil painting you have planned by the end of the month, and we will count it as rent.”
Henry closed my door with a satisfied smile. The shoddy wall he constructed to justify calling this attic a loft rattled with each of his hurried steps back to the gallery. His muffled voice traveled through the floor, echoing in my room as he greeted the visitor.
Emma lay down on my bed and exhaled through pressed lips, still playing with the tip of the paintbrush. “Why do you live here again?”
I looked at her, confused. “What do you mean?”
She shook her head, disbelief creasing in thin lines across her face. “You live in the same house as a bald, middle-aged, creepy, short man who’s in love with you.”
“Emma! Don’t be mean, it’s not like that. Henry is just... Henry. Besides, the rent he charges is cheaper than anywhere else in town. Plus, I can tell people I live in a loft in an art gallery,” I said, forcing a smile.
“That’s true, I guess,” Emma said while carefully putting my brush back into its case.
I sat at my desk and looked in the mirror for any imperfections in my makeup.
“He can’t see that he has no chance with you, and you can’t see that he’s desperate for you.”
I stared at her reflection with an unamused look.
“Now you are just being ridiculous. He has his quirks, but it’s not like that. I've known him for, like, five years, ever since I graduated from high school.”
She held up a hand in surrender. “Look, I’m just telling you what I see.”
I rolled my eyes and went back to putting on makeup.
She walked over and sat by me in the mirror. “So, what are you getting ready for? I haven’t seen you in full glam in, I don’t even know how long.”
“I have a new boss starting today.”
“At the marine biology center?” she asked.
