Page 20 of A Winter Crush
Despite Wareth’s poor instructions, the cylinder of clay in Ori’s hands became thinner and higher.
Ori’s shoulders started to shake.
“What?” Wareth said. For one horrible second, Wareth thought Ori was crying, but then Ori started giggling.
“I’m sorry.” Ori snickered. “It looks like,” he giggled, “it looks like a cock!” He burst into laughter.
Wareth could feel his cheeks heat, but he couldn’t deny it. It was true. It did look like a cock.
“All right,” Ori said. He took a deep breath, getting control of his laughter. “What do I do now?”
Wareth tried to ignore the vision of Ori, both hands wrapped around the very phallic-looking wet clay. “Ummm… You should… You should try to control it.”
But Ori lacked experience. He didn’t have the skill to shape and control the clay. He cupped the clay too hard around the middle, causing the top to become thicker and flare out into a mushroom shape. Like the head of a cock.
Ori lost control and started giggling again. “I’m not very good at handling…it.”
“Hold it firmer. No not like that. Put some strength behind it,” Wareth blurted out. “Don’t let it flop around. Get your hands up the top.” Was it just him, or was the room sweltering hot?
“I’m sorry!” Ori said but couldn’t stop laughing.
And it was contagious. Wareth was unable to stop the chuckle that escaped his throat.
It reminded Wareth of years earlier when he and Rin were learning how to centre. Rin’s grandfather had demonstrated, Rin and Wareth trying not to laugh. Then Rin had nudged him in the ribs, whispering suggestively in his ear. The memory sent a pang through Wareth’s chest, and the mirth drained from his body.
He shook his head, trying to dispel the memory. “That’s better. You’re getting control of it. Now press it down. Use the centre of your hand.”
“All right. I can do this.” Ori took a breath, finally getting control of himself.
Unsurprisingly, Ori’s attempts to make anything were unsuccessful. Despite how hard he tried, every time he attempted to shape the clay into something, the walls collapsed. But each time, he grabbed the next ball, ready to start again. On his very final ball, he managed something that didn’t collapse. But it was less than impressive.
“You make it look so easy.” Ori huffed. “How do you make it look so easy? You just move your hands and it’s whatever you want it to be. I used all ten balls all I have is this one sad-looking…bowl? Mug?” The form leaned to one side, the edges uneven and lopsided.
“It could be a bowl,” Wareth said.
Ori gave him a look. “I know what bowls look like, and this isn’t a bowl. It’s only good for the recycling bucket.” He slumped.
“I’ve been doing this since I was fifteen. Almost thirty years now.”
“I have to do it for thirty years before I’m any good?”
Wareth chuckled. “Hopefully you’ll improve quicker than that.”
“Can I go again? I can wedge more balls.”
Wareth shook his head. “I think that’s enough for today.”
Ori pouted his pretty dark lips.
“We can do more tomorrow.”
“Really? Will there be enough time? What about the Solstice mugs and plates?”
“It’ll be fine,” Wareth said. Maybe he’d have to work a few late nights and get up earlier, but it would be doable. He didn’t dwell on why he was willing to go out of his way to teach Ori pottery.
“All right. I should clean up, then.” Ori glanced out the window. “Oh! It’s later than I thought. My aunties will be wondering where I am.”
“Don’t worry about the cleaning,” Wareth said. “I’ll take care of it tonight. You get home to your aunties and brother.”
