Page 72 of The Consequence of Loving Me

“Thank you for doing that, honey,” my mom says, putting down the napkin and straightening her back to appear composed. And then she mouths, “I’m so proud of you.”

People all around us begin to take their seats. After a few minutes, the lights dim and Connor’s parents take the stage.

“Thank you all for coming tonight,” Kenneth says as he puts an arm around Maria’s waist. “It means the world to us that so many of you consistently come out to support Connor’s Ocean, the charity we founded in honor of our oldest son.”

A slideshow begins behind the two of them.

A photo of Connor and his two brothers appears first.

Then comes Connor and his whole family.

Next is Connor—and me.

My heart breaks all over again as I’m taken back to that very moment with him.

Pictures from classes the charity has hosted on ocean safety show up after that.

“We lost our son to the ocean years ago, but we didn’t want that to scare us away from it. From the beauty of the ocean. Many of us have been on the beach for as long as we can remember, and we didn’t want to fear it due to what happened to Connor. Because our son—” Kenneth pauses, swallowing, his voice breaking on Connor’s name. “Our son made a mistake. Our mission is to prevent someone else’s child from making that same mistake. Our efforts have helped put on more than two thousand ocean safety classes since we founded this charity. That’s over thirty thousand people we’ve reached, teaching them about the dangers of the ocean and how to be safe while in or around it.”

He pauses again, looking over at his wife who’s somehow smiling next to him.

Pictures are still appearing behind them, but I’m too focused on Kenneth’s words. Too devastated to see more photos of Connor’s beautiful and missed face.

“Auctions, like the one we’re about to begin, allow us the funds to hold more safety classes. We have a goal to fill more lifeguard positions next year, to add that extra safety precaution on the beaches we love. So, before I talk all your ears off, let’s begin the auction.” Kenneth hands the microphone over to Maria.

I lean closer in my seat, already hanging on every word she’s yet to say.

“Every item you see here tonight has been donated by very generous donors. Some of you have already bid on items we laid out in the grand room for your viewing. We appreciate how much money you’ve already donated, just on those items alone. Now, we will present you with many more items in effort to help us fund our wishes for the upcoming year. I will explain the items up for auction, and if you’d like to bid, please hold up your paddle.” Maria fixes the train of her dress and faces the huge monitor behind her.

“First up is an all-expenses paid trip to Breckenridge, Colorado. This includes a five-night stay in a ski in, ski out cabin. Air fare is included. Bids will begin at two thousand dollars.” Maria looks out into the audience as paddles are raised all over the room.

For the next forty-five minutes, I’m struck with awe as a ton of money is raised. They’ve auctioned off trips, meat, experiences, gifts, TVs, and so much more. At first, I tried to calculate how much money they’d raised thus far for Connor’s Ocean, but eventually the number got too high for me to keep track of.

My mom and I are chatting about the dress one of the winners has on when Kenneth goes back on the stage. He stands next to his wife as she smiles out at the audience.

“The next group of items are very special to us,” Maria begins. “They were brought to us by a very generous donor. He told us we could do with the items as we liked, that he felt we deserved them and would want to see them. He had mentioned how important it was to him, that if we could find it in our hearts to part with any of them, that they be auctioned off for money for the charity in Connor’s name. While there were two very special pieces we kept for ourselves, the rest we want to share with you. The donor has requested to remain anonymous, but his one wish is that if you buy one of these pieces, that you buy them with the intent to fully appreciate them. He was very firm that they couldn’t be simply a talking piece at your dinners.” There was a collective laugh heard in the ballroom. And then, “So, please, keep that in mind before you raise your paddle.”

Men in tuxedos begin to push carts into the room with velvet blankets hung over them. There are four carts on the stage now. The audience is silent as we wait to see what’s been donated. I’m on the edge of my seat. I can tell, by the way Kenneth and Maria are both beaming on stage, that whatever has been donated is very special to them.

I feel so much anticipation as Maria kindly asks the men to pull off the covers.

The audience gasps as the paintings come into full view.

I gasp, too—probably loudest of all.

Because on stage are four of my paintings.

The paintings I made after telling Maverick my story.

The same exact paintings Maverick bought from Clementine’s.

A sob breaks free from my chest when I realize what he’s done. When I see his love for me, selflessly auctioned off in the name of my first love.

“This collection is called Imperfections and was done by a very talented young artist,” Maria says.

Even though I’m seated in the middle of the crowded room, Maria’s eyes find mine. She softly smiles at me and I can’t help but return a pain-stricken smile back to her.

“Bidding will start at ten thousand for the one on the far left,” she states confidently.

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