Nova Luna

Thirty - Metis

I'd never been here on a Saturday. 

When I entered the building, I was greeted by a large half-body image of Mr. Thomas in the reception area. It spanned from a couple of feet away from the ceiling, up to the reception table. I felt a sudden chill all throughout my body; it was the most confusing feeling ever. The gallery felt so familiar and unfamiliar both at the same time. It kinda felt nostalgic. 

I was happy to be back, but I knew my painting mentor wasn't around anymore, and that took some of that happiness away.

I'd brought the painting I did a week ago for Mr. Thomas. I was looking for Damian to help set it up for the parade. I wasn't planning on displaying it there, but rather, I wanted to show it to the world for the first time at the art parade. I wanted everyone to see it first in the gallery's biggest moment. It was Mr. Thomas's biggest dream for the gallery, and for the artists.

I went straight to his office. And there, I saw him scribbling down numbers, words, and signatures on a sea of papers that were scattered everywhere on his desk. He looked very busy.

I was already at his office doorway and he didn't even notice me standing there. I knocked twice on his door that was already wide open. I still had no response on the first try, but I knocked again.

"Damian," I said.

"Elios." He stopped writing and stood up to greet me. "Grab a seat, I'm sorry I didn't notice you there."

His tone was different. It wasn't like him. He wasn't the usual lively and energetic Damian. It seemed like he put everything he had into this art parade. And I could still feel his sadness over the old man's passing.

"Did you know that words about the art parade are starting to go around the university where I work?" I asked.

"Yes, I started giving away flyers. We're almost there Elios!" He smiled. Then he continued organizing the random sheets of paper on his desk.

"Really? I was hoping that I could put up some of my paintings on sale to help a bit on the budget," I replied.

"No, you don't have to do that." He smiled. "Just do what you do best, and we'll put everything on display."

"Yeah, about that, I left a big canvas outside your office."

"Of course, I'll let my staff handle it," he interrupted.

"No, I want everyone to see it for the first time at the parade."

He suddenly stopped jotting down numbers and words, looked at me, and smiled.

"But I will continue sending more paintings, and those that I will send over the coming days, you can display them here," I continued.

He nodded and smiled in agreement.

"So when's the parade?" I joked and chuckled a bit. I knew things weren't very clear, given the situation. I was not expecting the parade to happen for at least the next six months. But his answer shocked me.

"Two weeks from now, Elios," he replied. "We will have the parade the old man has dreamed of."

I was excited. 

I better get home and start working on my next few paintings, I thought. 

I wanted to send as much as I could. I wanted to do my part, to let everyone know how much of an impact he made on me. Even though I only knew him for a short amount of time.

To let the world know that someone like him could really make a huge difference. I may have been overreacting, but the thought of quitting my job to become a full-time painter came to my mind from time to time.

Especially at times when people didn't appreciate all the hard work I did.

Time.

It was a silly idea. But not a bad one.

"In that case, I've got a lot of work to do, don't I?" I chuckled.

"If he's still here, I'm sure he's proud of both you and Lethe," Damian replied.

It made me smile, remembering the old man through the skills he passed down on us. I really hoped Damian was right. 

Other than bumping into Lethe, and having a little catch-up, I left the gallery as soon as possible to start working. I bought new canvases, three more and two new easels, all at the art store where I first bought my tools.

While driving myself home, I couldn't help but get distracted by the things that had been clouding my mind ever since I told Damian that I'd try to do my best. I felt like I was driving in space, passing through the sea of stars on my windshield.

The road disappeared as I drove myself outside our home planetary system. Passing through the Kuiper belt, trying to reach the stars beyond that looked like they were smiling at me. It reminded me of how beautiful space was, and why I got into it in the first place.

With art, I was again reminded that science too could be as pretty. That science itself, without the technical stuff, is art. And once again, art made me realize how I could appreciate the small things through creativity. 

I got home. My whole unit was still a mess, and my couch was still facing the walls of my room. I hadn't cleaned this place in a while and it was starting to look like the storage room back at the gallery. 

But I had no time to spare. A messy place wouldn't interfere with my creativity. I set up all the new canvas and easels I bought. All three of them were standing side by side. I smiled at the white cotton in front of me. 

I could feel both the excitement and pressure. And if there was one thing I learned from being an astrophysicist, it was how I could turn pressure into positive work. I took a deep breath and I did what I did best.

To your vastness, an endless, unblessed,
Stretch of infinite nothingness.
To your cosmic void,

From the one who coined
What your name should be:
I thank you, from where I can be.

But your dark space,
Had this heart's embrace.
Feeling nothing, as I do everything.

So I cursed at you,
That I learned all your mysteries,
But not your most beautiful uncertainties.

"Dear Universe," I whispered. "I thank you, but not in the ways that you deserved."

I took three steps back, to get a better image of all three canvases standing side by side from each other. And together, forming an image of our most beautiful home galaxy: the Milky Way.

It was already dark and I smiled as I closed my eyes to rest.