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A DAY LATER
Early Saturday morning Josh entered the small cafe. The Black-owned restaurant wasn't even crowded. His face was covered with expensive shades trying to hide his identity. After being led to a private section he laughed.
"You really got a private section?"
Dapping Josh up Jalen smiled, "You know how I roll. I don't deal with regular citizens."
"I gotta chop it up withchu." Josh sat down eagerly.
Jalen nodded sipping his smoothie, "Wassup?"
"I'm in a sticky situation."
Jalen rolled his eyes, "Can you not beat around the bush?"
Josh sat back into the chair running a hand over his face, "What do they call it these days? A sneaky link? A situationship?"
"And what's the issue? Oh, and can you make sure that the bacon is extra crispy thank you." Jalen pushed the menu to the waitress. She looked to Josh for his order but he just asked for the same thing as Jalen.
"I'm not supposed to be with her that's why."
Shrugging his shoulders Jalen replied, "So does it matter? Just go with the flow, bro. When's the last time you had some pussy. Chill out."
Josh sighed but pushed the rest of his thoughts to the back of his head. Jalen wasn't helping at all. He sat at the table with the lingering thoughts, he just knew he couldn't tell anyone that he had fucked Erica Thompson.
Meanwhile, Erica took her time getting up. After her therapy session, she had been doing some thinking. Opening her phone she sent a text message to her therapist.
Kimi
think you could connect me to those art ambassadors?
Of course, I'll send the details over in an email. Best wishes!
Squealing in excitement Erica pulled on her clothes and called a Lyft. She had some shopping to do. After going to a nearby art store she entered the condo with bags filled to the brim. Turning on her playlist, she began taking out the materials.
Erica had brought a couple of canvases, acrylic paint, drawing pencils, and brushes. Her burst of energy had her motivation to draw all the way up. Rose laid on the couch watching her intensely.
"I think I want to draw this new feeling. Adoration? No, maybe euphoria meets loneliness." Erica faced the blank canvas propped up on the stand.
Her mind raced as she stood in silence trying to figure out what to draw. Looking over at the german shepherd she sighed. Picking up her pencil she let her hands flow freely. After sketching Erica opened the fresh paint enjoying the smell of it.
Using a brush she began to create sections of color with it. Excess paint dripped on the towel under the canvas. The music became background noise as she zoned in on the beauty of her creations.
Hours later, Josh's nose scrunched up smelling the drying paint. He saw Erica hunched over the canvas adding the finishing touches. He noticed the paint splatters on her and the floor. Rose approached him happily. With a pet to the dog's head, he spoke.
"What's going on? Are you painting?"
Erica turned around smiling. Josh's heart skipped a quick beat. This was the first time he had ever seen her with a genuine smile on her face. It was beautiful. Not as big as his smile but he couldn't tell.
"Yeah. I think I know what I want to do now. I mean I've always been painting and stuff but never took it seriously." Erica turned back to the canvas, did one more swipe, and then put the brush down.
"Can I see it?" Josh asked tenderly.
Erica hesitated a bit but stepped aside to show him. In awe, Josh leaned in. He could see the different textures and shades of paint. He felt like the artwork made him step into another realm. Warm and vibrant colors clashed with the dark purples here and there.
Erica was tapping her foot by the time he finished observing, "So...?"
Josh turned around to look at her, "It's amazing! You got some real talent. Are you going to sell it?"
Erica nodded her head, "I've already created an art page on Instagram and an Etsy page. I want to become professional...legit."
"That's great!"
The two shared an innocent moment together. They stood inches apart. She could hear his breathing. Erica wanted to hug him but decided not to. They stared intensely into the eyes of each other. Erica jumped when her phone rang. LaMelo's name came across the screen.
"Hey, Melo." Erica could hear the raspiness in her voice.
"What's good, E. You been painting?"
Erica saw the splatters of paint on her face as she looked into the facetime camera, "Oh yeah. My therapist helped me realize what I want to do."
"I'm glad you're finally getting your priorities straight. Only a couple of weeks before you get back to Cali."
Pushing a bud of hot air from her mouth she replied, "I know. I'm still working on it."
After saying goodbye Erica hung up the phone. Josh was still staring at the painting with adoration, "I want to be the first person to buy this piece."
