Page 21 of Love Finds Home

“Look, it wasn’t just him, okay? I…I need a break. I need to not be the crazy Workman who draws stuff. My mojo was gone. If wewant to keep the studio open, I had to leave to give you new shit to display. Hopefully, it’ll be good shit.”

“Is this like a midlife crisis or something, Elle?” Jorge asks with new concern in his voice. “Seriously, are you okay?”

“I don’t know,” I tell him, grabbing the phone off the counter and sliding down the wall to sit. “I’ve been feeling out of sorts for a while, you know that. And then Stefon happened and, J, I don’t know what the hell I’m doing anymore.”

“Hush, woman. Everything is going to work out. You’ll see. I’ll bring you everything you need to turn that room into a new studio and you’ll start creating wonderful things that all the people have to have.”

“Why do you have so much faith in me?” I ask, genuinely wanting to know.

“Because you saw something in me I hadn’t found yet, and you showed me the way. It’s only fair that at some point I get to return the favor, sweetheart. You are the best person I know. You have the biggest and kindest heart I know. You have more talent in your pinky than most people have in their entire bodies, and sometimes you just need a new perspective to see it.”

“I love you, J. Miss your face.”

“Love you, too. Now get that sketchpad out I know you have with you and start creating. That’s an order.”

“Whatever you say, boss,” I laugh. I might sign his checks, but we both know he’s in charge.

“I’ll see you soon. You’ll have to take me to that diner you keep raving about.”

“Oh, Ms. Mabel will absolutely eat you up. She might not let you leave.”

“Does she have a son?”

“Matter of fact, she does.” I smile, knowing what’s coming next.

“Do they even make them gay in that small town?”

I laugh loud at his already dejected tone. “Oh, lover-boy, gay people exist everywhere. Not Ms. Mable’s son, but yes, there are gay people here.”

“Oh, thank goodness. Okay. I’m going to go load up the van and pack my stuff, and I’ll see you tomorrow around lunch.”

“Lunch?”

“You’re right, better make it closer to dinner. I’m sleeping in tomorrow!”

“No, you’re not!”

“Sorry, shhh, can’t, shhh, hear, shhh, you, shhh!” he replies, like he’s losing connection.

“Lunchtime!” I yell, laughing. “And don’t be late! Love you!”

I hear him laughing as I hang the phone up and wonder if Ginny wants to come over when she’s done with school tomorrow to meet Jorge. I think they’d hit it right off.

Elle: My main man is bringing my stuff tomorrow. Want to come for dinner at my place? Ordering takeout.

Ginny: Main man?

Elle: Jorge. You have to meet him to understand.

Ginny: I’m in!

Elle: Great. See you then. Promise you’ll love him.

I put the phone down on the floor and rest my head against the wall, closing my eyes for a minute. The total silence here is new. There aren’t any sounds coming in from outside. No peoplewalking by talking like at the studio in Diamond Cove. No music filtering in from cars driving by or even from downstairs. I need to remember to pick up a speaker next time I make an online order. I crave silence, but this might drive me crazy.

It’s in the silence that I hear what sounds like footsteps. It was too early for anyone to be downstairs in the shop when I came in, but the hair on my arms stands up and I instinctively know I’m not alone anymore. Maybe if I stay quiet, whoever it is will go away. I’m not ready for Barbie and her twenty questions, and I’m really not ready to face Ranger and his…anger.

I hold my breath until I’m sure whoever was there is gone and the sound I heard was retreating steps, and I quietly stand up and go out the other door. Am I hiding from Ranger? Yes, yes, I am. If he was too ashamed of what happened between us to even stick around until I could clean him off my body, who am I to throw myself in his face?

---