Page 111 of Burning Daylight
A striking mural has surfaced on the wall of The Round Table Tavern in HillPoint, depicting giant hands tearing apart a map of Rosebrook Falls, with the land cracking under pressure. The phrase “Hands of Ruin” looms above, and a small black rose adorns the corner.
The bar, recently acquired by Mayor Penngrove’s son, Art Penngrove, following a loan default, declined to comment on the artwork.
Is this an act of vandalism or a powerful piece of art?
#RosebrookRag #HandsOfRuin #SecretStreetArtist #GraffitiGate
27
JULIETTE
Trouble:
What’d you write about today?
Me:
A girl who’s concerned her friend will be hurt by her family because he’s allergic to blank walls.
Trouble:
You worried about me, Little Rose?
Me:
Yes.
Ihit send, and it feels a little better once I get it off my chest.
We’ve been texting back and forth the past few weeks, Roman and me, and every day, I get a text from him asking what I’m writing. Since the only time I actuallygetto write is when I’m with him, I’ve started using our messages as anoutlet, and part of me thinks that’s why he continues to text and ask.
But seeing his graffiti showing up more and more in the papers, watching my father get increasingly upset at very aggressive speculation being aimed in our direction…it makes everything uncomfortable for me.
I haven’t forgotten Roman implying it wasmydad who caused the car accident all those years ago, and I’m not naive enough to think he’s wrong.
Still…I love my dad. And I hate that my brothers are caught in the fray of all this.
It makes me feel awful for continuing to meet with him. To talk to him. To enjoy his company. Like a betrayal to my family in the worst kind of way.
Felicity:
Why are you avoiding me? I’ve been back for over a week, and as penance for your betrayal, you’re coming out with me anywhere I choose. I pick the outfit, the place, and the music.
I make a face as I read her text, but I guess fair is fair. I avoided her because I don’t know what to say. I’m not sure how to talk to her without spilling everything about Roman and me, but I’m not sure Ishouldtell her. Felicity isn’t exactly discreet when she thinks that things should be a certain type of way, and the last thing I want is for her to dip her hand into something beyond her scope and ruffle feathers she has no business touching.
Trouble:
Maybe the guy in your story has no choice. Maybe it isn’t about him at all.
Me:
Doesn’t make it any better.
Trouble:
Does he grow up to be a famous artist with a gallery in Paris in the end?
Me:
