Page 43 of My Bodyguard Neighbor
Epilogue
Ayear later
Holly stood in a small gallery in downtown, staring at her name on the wall.Holly Reese: Shadows and Light.A study in survival.
Twenty paintings hung throughout the space.The progression of her journey from anger to acceptance to hope.The early pieces were dark, violent.The later ones showed evolution.Growth.The final piece was the one of Jonah, titled simplyChosen.
"You ready?"Jonah appeared beside her, looking uncomfortable in a button-down shirt and slacks.He'd grown his hair out slightly, looked less like a soldier and more like a man at peace.
"As ready as I'll ever be."Holly smoothed down her dress.Black and simple, because she wanted the art to speak, not her clothes.
The gallery owner, a woman named Patricia who'd seen Holly's work at a local art fair and demanded to give her a show, was already greeting early arrivals.Holly recognized a few faces.Friends from her art classes.A couple of critics Patricia had invited.
And in the back, looking like he'd rather be anywhere else, her father.
She hadn't invited him.Hadn't even told him about the show.But somehow he'd found out.
"Want me to ask him to leave?"Jonah's voice was low, protective.
"No.It's okay."Holly squeezed his hand."Let's go say hi."
They crossed the gallery.Judge Benedict Reese stood in front of one of Holly's early pieces, the angry reds and blacks that had defined her feelings about him.She couldn’t read the look on his face.
"Dad."
He turned, and Holly was surprised to see moisture in his eyes."Holly.The show is beautiful.You're incredibly talented."
"Thank you."The words felt stilted, awkward.Six months of monthly lunches hadn't made their relationship easy.But they were trying."I didn't know you were coming."
"I hope that's all right.I know we haven't exactly..."He trailed off, seeming to struggle for words."I wanted to support you.Even if you'd rather I wasn't here."
Holly looked at the painting he'd been studying.The one she'd done in rage and pain, screaming at the father who'd controlled her."You can stay."
Her father's shoulders relaxed."Thank you."
An awkward silence fell.Jonah stood beside Holly, solid and present, but letting her navigate this on her own.
"This is remarkable work," her father said finally."I always knew you had talent, but this is..."He gestured at the gallery."This is real artistry."
"I had good motivation."Holly glanced at the paintings."Turns out trauma makes for interesting subject matter."
Her father flinched but didn't look away."I'm sorry.For my part in that trauma."
