Page 69 of Pete and His Precious

“Yes. I do. And I had heard that some people don’t, but I had never run into one of those people, that I know of anyway, until I met you.”

“Do you think that’s why I can’t draw?”

“You can draw. But I think that’s why you struggle with it. You’ve somehow gotten the muscle memory in your hand to do the back, but you struggle in the front, and you can’t see the picture in your mind.”

“Well that’s true. I can’t see the picture in my head. Although I can’t explain how I’m able to do the backend so well. That’s a mystery to me.”

“I think your idea of you doing the back and me doing the front is a good one. We’ll just do each kid together, and you’ll do the hind end on one cheek and I’ll do the front and on the other. It’s gonna look a little bit weird, but you might as well play to your strengths.”

He laughs a little, and I appreciate the fact that he understands my humor. I wasn’t being hilarious, but I was trying to be a little bit funny. After all, we can’t fix this. I can’t make him draw, and he can’t suddenly start to see pictures in his head and draw well, so, we’ll just use what we have.

We work for another hour, until my back starts cramping up, and I think that he must be tired too, but he hasn’t complained at all.

I stop, put the crayons on the table, and stretch.

“I should have offered you something to eat.”

“I ate at Baxley’s house. That’s one thing they are really good at. They always cook for me too. I get an afterschool snack, too, if you can believe that.”

“That’s really nice. I kinda like it when I time my visits for when Baxley gets home from school, because their housekeeper is a pretty good cook, and she makes awesome snacks.”

“I kinda thought I might see you yesterday or today,” he says, and there is no accusation in his voice. He’s put his crayon down, and he leans back in his chair a little bit, his hands behind his head, his feet stretched out, and he’s looking at me. Those eyes, so serious and intense, but still crinkling a bit at the corners. He’s friendly and funny but not to the point of joking all the time. And, he definitely has a serious personality. I love all the little details of him.

That’s a scary thought. I hurriedly shove the thought aside. I’m not against talking to him about how I feel, but I don’t want to do it right now. At least, I haven’t thought about it enough,and I don’t know what I will say. And I know I’m starting to panic right now even thinking about it.

I lift a shoulder. I can’t explain why I didn’t go see Baxley.

“That’s okay. You don’t have to come. I just... Enjoy being with you and I know Baxley likes seeing you too.” He pauses for a minute, as though the thought just occurred to him and then he says, “I hope the fact that I’m there isn’t keeping you from visiting your niece?”

“Oh no,” I say quickly. “You haven’t kept me away. I... I was working on finishing up the Scarlet Pimpernel so I could upload it. I almost have it done.”

“Well that’s exciting,” he says, and I nod. I don’t know if he’s just saying that, or if he understands exactly how much it really does mean to me. And how much that could possibly mean to my career. Each book I get done, each view I get, each thing that pushes the algorithm to show it to more people, greatly increases my chances of being seen by the right person. I know that the Lord is in control, but I also believe that God wants me to do as much as I can, so that’s what I’m trying to do. And if nothing comes of it, then that’s fine. I’ve done all I could to use the talent God gave me for Him.

But Pete said he wanted to see me. Didn’t he?

“I don’t want to bother you guys, if you and Baxley are doing things together.” Maybe I’m fishing for a compliment. Maybe I want him to say that he wants me. Maybe I’m just insecure, and don’t want to push in where I’m not wanted.

“You’re always welcome in my opinion. And I know Baxley loves you, so I’m pretty sure she would say you’re always welcome to. I... I really enjoy spending time with you.”

I smile. That’s kind of what I was looking for. It could have been a little stronger but, this is pretty good, and I’m not going to argue with that, or look a gift horse in the mouth.

“All right, maybe I’ll see if I can make it tomorrow.” I smile. “Have you guys been playing ping-pong lately?”

“All the time. I am glad I really like it, because Baxley is pretty much addicted to it. I wish that there was some kind of club or something that she could join around here, but you probably have to go to Richmond for that.”

“She has you.” My smile fades. “But I guess you’re getting paid to play with her.”

“I would play with her just for the exercise. She’s good, and I love the challenge.”

“Is she beating you more?”

“We’re about half-and-half right now. But I don’t think I’m going to get better as fast as she will. Just because I’m older, and she’s still developing her skill.”

“I bet you’re helping her with that - she has a great coach. But that’s probably hard on the ego to be defeated by a little girl.”

“It’s not too bad. I guess I see her as being a prodigy almost. It would be like being beat at chess by a six-year-old, who is well known for their brilliant ability.”

“I see. Ping-pong is a little bit different than chess, though.”

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