Page 12 of Watercolor Skulls

Deciding to explore the property, I set out to look around. There’s a tiny greenhouse out back along the tree line. I pull the door open, it’s empty but I notice it’s set up with a watering system. It even has temperature controls. I don’t know anything about gardening but I’m willing to learn. I’ll have to see if there is a library in town. I close the door and make my way over to a storage shed.

When I open the door the sun cuts into the space, dust motes dancing in the rays. A glint of something shiny catches my eye. I step inside, squatting down to inspect the object. It’s a window. I glance around, spying dozens of old windows lining the walls of the shed. All different sizes.

My hand brushes the dust off the frame. Jesse did say they put in new windows. These must be the originals. They are beautiful. It’s sad they are out here in the dark.

“Do you miss the sun?” I whisper.

I decide to pull a few of them out, taking them inside. Surely I can think of a new life for them. I lean them against the wall and decide I should get to work on painting. I crack open a can of rosewood colored paint and start on the living room. It’s not a very bright color but I think it will reflect the natural lighting in the room perfectly.

Hours go by as I paint in silence. I set the paint brush down on the side of the can. It’s so quiet. I’m used to that, nothing new there. Being alone is something I’m accustomed to. But, in this moment I realize I’m not liking it much. Which isn’t like me at all…it’s unusual and a little crazy.

My parents were never home. My dad was usually in D.C. and my mother was who knows where with her trophy wife friends. Sure, there were always other people in our home but no one who actually gave a care about what I was doing.

The four years my aunt came to live with us were the best years of my life. When she was around I never felt lonely. She was my someone. Someone who had my back no matter what. Aunt Jenny is the only person in the world who saw me as more than Senator Ramsey’s daughter.

I grab a granola bar and sit down on the floor. I’m happy with the progress I’ve made. I notice a drip of paint on the glass of one of the windows I brought in. Frowning, I set the granola bar down and pick up the window, leaning it against the kitchen cabinet by the sink. I grab a washcloth to clean the paint off. When I lift my eyes to the blob I drop the cloth on the floor.

My heart kicks its heels up. I know what I’m going to do with the windows. I grab my keys and head into the hardware store and then to the craft store.

I’m so engrossed in all the colors of paint they have to choose from I don’t notice Jesse standing beside me.

“Boo,” she says.

I jump a foot. “Holy moly! Jesse,” I say breathlessly. “You scared me.”

She laughs, her green eyes twinkling with mischief. “Whatcha doing?”

“Oh, I found the old windows in the shed out back and I had an idea of how to use them…if that’s okay?” I ask hesitantly.

“Yeah, that’s cool,” she says, grabbing a few cans of spray paint off the shelf behind me.

Dirk comes around the corner, tossing a tiny little girl with dark pigtails in the air. He catches her and kisses her cheek obsessively, making her giggle. He stops when he sees Jesse and me.

Jesse smiles. “This is our daughter, Billie Rose. She’s almost three and her daddy carries her everywhere. He hasn’t figured out she has two feet.”

“Can you say hi to our new friend? Her name is Lily.” Dirk turns so she can see me.

My heart swells a little at his term for me…new friend, that sounds wonderful. The little girl waves at me shyly before tucking her face in the side of Dirk’s tattooed neck.

“You have such a pretty name,” I tell her. She peeks at me and giggles.

“She likes to pretend she’s shy but trust me once she gets to know you, she will talk your ear off. Not that you will be able to understand any of it.” Dirk chucks her under the chin and she tugs at the scruff on his face. He pretends to be hurt which makes her giggle even more.

They are so adorable I find myself staring.

When I finally turn back to Jesse I see she is staring at her little family too. A look of contentment over her features.

Jesse’s focus shifts back to me. “So, I was thinking. I’m going to round everyone up this Saturday and we are coming over to help with the painting and repairs. If you need any furniture picked up we could do that too.”

“Oh, Jesse, really I’m fine. I have nothing but time.”

“Not once Bill gets you trained at the bar. He’ll have your ass working all the damn time. He’s a slave driver.” Dirk smirks when Jesse smacks his arm.

She turns her head back to me. Her eyebrow cocked.

“Oh, okay, I suppose I could use the help.”

She drops the eyebrow and smiles triumphantly. “I’ll arrange everything. Plan on a bunch of bikers showing up at your house early Saturday morning.”

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