Fields of Iris

Encouragement

As I got back to my place,  I was a sweaty mess and covered in mud as usual. I was still shaking at the confrontation I had with Chase, finding it more frustrating trying to jam the key into our door and unlock it than usual. I wiggled and cursed out loud at the cheap broken door that the Landlord had promised to fix for a month now.

After cursing for a few more seconds I heard footsteps from next to me, causing me to look over and see Billy looking towards me, his face full of concern. "Oh hi. I just... you know this door is a pain in the hiney!" I remarked, trying to muster a smile that came out broken.

"Let me have it," He spoke, grabbing the keys from my shaky hands and jamming it into the door, giving it a shake as it opened.

"You always had the magic touch," I said, opening my door and walking in, before Billy held his hand out, stopping me.

"Now why don't you tell me why you aren't at your showing right now?" He asked as I shook my head, trying to keep back the tears. I wasn't much of a crier, but right now I was filled with emotion I hadn't felt in years.

"I just... I... maybe you were right. Chase don't be helpin' just anyone' ', I said quietly, looking to the ground. I heard Billy let out a sigh as I turned and walked into my apartment, Billy following behind me.

"Did something happen?" He asked as I shook my head and walked towards the painting I had on the easel that I planned on taking with me tonight.

"More than I'm used to in a normal week," I chirped. "Besides, you work right next to the Mayor. You should know all about what he's really been up to," I said to him.

"You know, people seem to think that, but it's not all that true. If you ask me if I knew about his plans to expand Brooksedge,  I did, but he keeps the details in the inner circle. I don't think he wants anyone knowing anything until it's official. My duties mostly include bringing him his coffee and copying files," he said as I sighed. I couldn't be mad at Billy for working alongside the Mayor. If there was one thing I knew, it was that Billy was down at Bucky's every Saturday, working with the townspeople to regain the district. He was the inside man for us truly lower class and I knew where his loyalties really were.

"Whatever the case is... I don't think lettin' Chase help me is a good idea," I said, grabbing the painting from the easel. I was ready to toss it aside when Billy grabbed my arm, causing me to look up at him.

"Hey, now wait a minute. I have had to live next door and hear you jammin' away to your tunes while painting all hours of the night. Now you got a chance to show people what you can do and you're going to give it up?" he spoke to me, making a small tear come running down my cheek as I looked away from him.

"It doesn't really matter. It's too late. And Chase is..."

"No more bout Chase," he harped, making me look up at him confused. "This ain't about him. It's about you and your art. Who cares if Chase is there or what he has to do with it or town loyalties. If you let this chance go, then you'll regret it," he spoke as I sighed, shaking my head thinking about these words. I could already feel the regret seeping in at the opportunity I was missing. I never thought I'd get a chance to show my works... They were so personal I even struggled with parting with them.

"What if I'm not good enough?" I said, looking down at the painting of the HayWard House falling into the pits of hell. Looking down at the image I had a realization that I didn't want to end up going down with the house.

"So what? At Least you did the damn thing," he said, making me finally peek up and give a small smile. I was grateful for Billy's friendship. We both were always moving and working and we also spent most of our days working under someone else endlessly with a large lack of sleep. "And I know it may not mean much but... I think you're amazing," he said, his face serious, making my heart stop a bit.