Masterpiece

Chapter 17

The next day was a little more eventful than I had wanted it to be. I ended up saying yes to the universities' little tasks.

They were a step toward becoming a professional artist, and there was no way I could pass it up. Because of this, I had to quit my job as a lower grade art teacher because I was going to be traveling which was bitter sweet.

I also swallowed my pride and moved in with John. I have to admit, it scared me at first, but it's actually really cozy.

"Home, sweet, home," John says as we come into his house with all my stuff from the art building. He leads me upstairs into the same room I was in the last time I was here.
Everything was just as decorative as before I left his house.

"Did I ever tell you that I love your house?" He laughs. "Thank you for letting me stay here, John."

"Hey, I'm there for you."

I hadn't told him that I was leaving. I just couldn't. I could barely accept myself that I was leaving. The lady had said that I would catch a plane to California, then head to Florida, and like three other places if I accepted, so if I was going to tell him, I guess it better be soon.

•••

The sun had gone down and gave way to the moon. Lamps on nightstands lit my room casting a yellowish glow. I sit on the floor and John stands in a pose, not moving. I asked him to be my model, while I drew him. He was way too excited about it if you ask me.

"This is weird. I seriously can't move till you're done? Why can't you just take a picture?" His patience runs out as I start to draw him.

"You've seriously only been standing there for like two minutes. Phones only depict so much detail, anyway." He rolls his eyes. "And plus it could be worse. In my Drawing 101 Course, we learned to draw nude models. Yeah the awkwardness was pretty thick." He turns toward me, raises one eyebrow, and slowly pulls on the hem of his shirt.

"John-" My cheeks flush a hot red. He is left only in his underwear by the time he stopped.

"Relax, this is far as I'm going." He winks at me and stands still once again.

It's hard to avert my gaze and not just because I have to look at him to draw him. His slight masculinity surprises me. I walk up to him to get a better visual of his face.

"You like what you see?" he asks shifting a little closer.

"Eh, you're not too shabby, I guess," I say as he puts his lips on mine and his hands rest on my waist. The sketch book slips from my hands as I fold my fingers along his neck. We don't stop until we're backed against the wall and Amelia's voice comes from downstairs.

"Hey, John, I'm home! I don't feel like cooking so I'm just gonna order a pizza." Footsteps start to come up the stairs.

"Shit," he says as he starts to put back on his clothes. I throw him his jeans and he manages to get fully dressed just before Amelia steps through my door.

"Yeah, pizza sounds good," he says slightly out of breath. She lifts an eyebrow and smirks.

•••

"So, what're your plans for tomorrow?" Amelia asks me as we sit at a table chewing on pizza.

"Nothing fun, I can tell you that. My dad's funeral is tomorrow." Her optimism droops.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," she says. I never know how to respond when people say this to me.

"Yeah, uh, I'm just trying to cope. But, um, what are your plans for tomorrow?" I ask trying to change the subject.

"I'm not doing anything, Ramona. You want to know why?" Sophie cuts in across from the table poking her lip out. "Because you quit your job and now I have nothing to do and that sucks ass." She folds her arms and nearby, John chokes on his pizza.

"Oh my God, Amelia, you taught her to say ass," he says laughing. I sit wide eyed, awed at her choice words.

Amelia wears a look which crosses between amusement and shock.
"I never- I didn't- She never heard that come out of my mouth!" she stutters.

Sophie argues, "Did to! You were talking to your boss and you told him if he didn't give you a raise that he can kiss your a-"

"Okayy, I think it's past your bedtime." John scoops her up out of her chair and  carries her up the stairs. She giggles as he does.

"Damn, I have to be careful what I say around that girl." Amelia gets up from the table, chuckling.
I throw my plate away and hear muffled voices straight ahead through a hallway.

"And then everyone went to sleep and no munchkins bugged me for the entire night. The end." John ends his not so lulling story.

Sophie laughs. "But what if I want to bug you? I'm not tired."

John sighs. "It doesn't matter if you're not tired. I'm tired."

"Sing me the song," she requests.
"If I sing you the song, will you promise to go to sleep?"

"I promise." He starts to sing. It's a tune I can't decipher. It's soft and lighthearted, something capable enough to put me to sleep. I see Sophie's eyes flutter downwards as he finishes. He kisses her on the forehead.

When he flicks off the light, he catches sight of me. "What, you want me to put you to sleep to?"

I nod and he sweeps me off my feet bridal style. He carries me to my room and tucks me in the blankets.
"Sing me the song," I say softly.

He laughs quietly before he starts the lullaby. The last thing I hear is his voice  and the last thing I feel his lips against my forehead.