Wave to the Sky (Omegaverse)

Chapter 10: Babysit

Alon's Point of View

"What a night," I murmured to myself as I made my way towards the small kitchen. I reached for the coffee percolator and set it on the stovetop to brew. While waiting for the coffee, my gaze wandered over to the empty canvas displayed in the corner. I felt a sense of uncertainty about what to paint this time. Inspiration seemed elusive at the moment, leaving me sighing as I returned to the window. Mrs. Gibson had already finished tending to her flowers, their delicate beauty catching my eye even from a distance. Those asters, small yet radiant, seemed to glow in the darkness.

I found my muse. A painting of asters in full bloom. Once the coffee was ready, I set to work. Mixing colors on my palette, I took my time in deciding the perfect background hue. Bright orange seemed too overpowering, while deep blue felt somber and melancholic, not reflecting my current mood. Ultimately, I settled on a light yellow-green, reminiscent of a sunny meadow. I coated the canvas with the chosen color, knowing that the process of painting, with all its intricacies and details, would take time. Some paintings could be completed in mere hours, while others demanded days or even weeks of dedication. But that was part of the beauty of the craft.

The most challenging and time-consuming painting I ever tackled involved water and hair. I had to meticulously consider how light would reflect on the water's surface, taking into account the direction and type of light source, whether natural or artificial. Factors like the time of day and the condition of the hair—wet, dry, or windswept—added further complexity.

I completed that painting several years ago, during my time as a student. It was for a painting competition hosted by a local art gallery. Winning was a surprise, and the gallery chose to display the piece. It remained there whenever I visited, until one day, it mysteriously disappeared. I never found out what happened to it.

But that's a matter of the past now. As I waited for the paint to dry on my current piece, I savored my mug of coffee. Painting this new work would likely take a few more hours. Glancing at the wall clock, I noted that it was already ten past midnight. Time truly flies.

Deciding to call it a night, I tidied up my painting supplies and prepared for bed. Babysitting Emery, a lively first-grader, awaited me tomorrow. He always had countless questions whenever I looked after him, so a trip to the park might be in order if he's up for it.

A new day had dawned, and with it, I harbored hopes for change. Springing out of bed, I hurried to the window and flung it open. The sky greeted me with its breathtaking shade of blue, adorned with fluffy clouds resembling cotton candy. Mrs. Gibson was already tending to her beloved plants, as she did every morning.

"Good morning!" I called out enthusiastically from my bedroom window. She paused her work for a moment and turned to acknowledge me.

"Good morning, Loony!" she replied with a wave.

"The flowers look splendid!"

"Thank you!"

After a refreshing stretch, I commenced my morning ritual—preparing my elixir of life: coffee. I retrieved the coffee percolator, disposing of the old grounds and replacing them with a fresh batch. As the aroma of brewing coffee filled the air, I couldn't help but appreciate the sentimental value of the percolator. It had been a gift from my art teacher, passed down to me like a cherished heirloom. Knowing it had played a role in his artistic journey filled me with inspiration and motivation.

Breakfast consisted of freshly brewed coffee and a tuna sandwich from Sister Mary, a light morning meal that suited me just fine.

Once nourished, I gathered my unfinished painting and art supplies, making my way to Louis and Jessica's flat. A knock at their door heralded Jessica's welcoming presence as she greeted me warmly and invited me inside.