Unconventional

Chapter 2

"I've got to capture that!" Charlie darted out the door causing it to flap back and forth against the frame.

"What?" Mike asked, but it was too late Charlie was already setting up his easel on the front lawn and grabbing his paints.

"Look at this gorgeous dusk!" Mike looked around and saw hues of orange, pink, and purple amid some yellowish wispy clouds. "Isn't it something?!"

"Very nice," Mike said half amused. "But I think you're forgetting something." Charlie looked up from his canvass.

"I don't think so. I have my paints, my easel,..."

"Charlie, there's more to life than just art. Please take a moment and remember that there are times when you just need to enjoy it. Go for a walk or read a book. Don't be so obsessed with art!" With that Mike headed back inside. As much as he enjoyed Charlie's appreciation for art and the multiple paintings in their rental house, he just wished for once Charlie would just relax and enjoy the present without having to paint it.

"Dinner was amazing!" Mel complimented wiping her face.

"I couldn't have done it without you," Lisa said blushing. "I doubt I'll ever be that great without help."

"Yes, you will. Besides, even if you can't, at least you'll get a husband who will love your cooking and you. You're definitely more traditional than I am. What guy would want someone who doesn't want to stay home and take care of kids?" Mel raised her eyebrows. "You know?" Then the two started clearing the table and getting the dishes ready for the dishwasher.

"I suppose. I still can't help thinking that there's someone out there for both of us, though." Mel shrugged. It didn't seem likely as every time she tried to get a date all the guys would turn her down and say they weren't interested or they had something else going on. "And you're a wonderful person! I'm sure some guy out there who just wants to stay home and take care of the house. Maybe someone who likes to paint, or cook, or just doesn't like the corporate world. You know, someone like...well, like me for instance. I sure don't wanna get out in the workforce and fight tooth and nail just to get ahead. I'd give anything for a guy to take care of me. Maybe there's a guy out there like that."

Mel sighed. "I hope you're right, but I just haven't met such a guy. Every guy I meet wants to just use me for sex or says that he wants to work and doesn't want me to work, too. He wants to be the one to provide. I mean I wouldn't mind if a guy would also work, but so far no one is like that – at least none that I've met anyway."

 "Give it time. You just haven't found the one yet. Be patient, Mel." Mel sighed again. "Now what are we going to do about that model neighborhood-bridge-thingy? You still gotta get it done, you know?" Mel nodded. "Let's go out and see what we can find at the union." Lisa closed the dishwasher and tossed Mel her jacket. "Come on!" Mel glared at her, but slowly put the jacket on anyway.