masterpiece || matthew espinosa

XV

matthew

Her angelic figure became rigid as she heard my voice. The flight attendant called her flight and she scrambled with her burly dog to leave.

Just give me a minute.

She gave me nothing but a second. I screwed up. Leaving her was the worst choice I ever made. I knew she'd be here. I knew she was leaving for LA as I was arriving to Virginia.

Barry told me. I also knew she'd never want to talk to me again. But the painting seated next to her caught my eye. So many colors that would normally be hideous together fitted perfectly. Each stroke made from love.

I watched her figure walk away from me, probably forever and never look back. She knew if looked back it would be harder to let go.

The incredible piece of art was of us. The scenery I first brought her too. I seated myself. The view was from the back. The bumper car we sat in the exact same color and everything. My hood was over like that day, her body leaning on mine. Her white straight hair was spread over my shoulder as her head laid on my shoulder. My arm was around her space between us to see our feet laying on the front.

The vine that wrapped around the pole was there, the same hole in the concrete ceiling, the same painting on the wall in front of us.

It was perfect.

I flipped it over to see the white paper attached to the back by bacon duct tape. I smiled to myself.

Matthew,

I didn't know you as well as I wanted too. Apparently you knew me better then I thought you did. Maybe more then I knew my own self. I guess I don't pay attention as much as I should have or thought I did. But that's okay.

It's silly how I fell for you quicker then i thought I did. See, I had to think about that a lot before admitting it.

Leaving you behind in Virginia was painful. Getting over you, (which i haven't don't yet) will be the worst thing ever.

But if I had known about your choices I would have rooted you on saying "go on that tour. Get big and forget all about me." I was about to hold you back and that just in general would have hurt me if the people on your tour got huge and you were stuck with little old me.

I would have loved to go to homecoming with you instead of watching 50 first dates with Mom and Cameo but it's okay.

I see you everywhere. Social media, magazines, the news. I had to shut the tv off before I cried. I am being the most honest here then i have been in my life.

I loved you, Matt. Did you ever consider staying? Did you ever love me?

Cheers to this painting I obsessed over for so many months. This is the way I'll remember you.

Bringing me to an abandoned amusement park, cramming me into a small bumper car asking me why I had white hair.

You were my finest masterpiece, Matthew. I studied you, drew you with passion, and hung you on a wall.

You and I were a drawing which everyone hated because I wasn't as vibrant like you. I was pastel, a softer color of you.

Draw a beautiful painting with someone. Make it more beautiful then us, make it gorgeous.

You and I. . . We were splatter art.

We were everywhere but still together at the same time.

- Evangeline