Find A Way

Chapter 2

Connor parked in a parking lot near the building, saying that the short walk was good since they had such a heavy lunch. Asshole. We walked into the building, walking through the long hallways and up the multiple stairs before finally making it to the gallery.I was blown away by the whole scene. There were beautiful lights strung wall to wall and people in front of every picture, admiring the artwork.

“Looks like a circus.” Connor scoffed before looping his arm through mine. My father left to go talk some business crap with the other sour faces who were only interested in the money aspect of the event. Guess they didn’t invite Connor.

“Do we really need this stuff?” He questioned, waving his hand to gesture to all the photographs.

“Yes, I’m going to be the one in charge of designing the event; so I decide what we need.” He chuckled before kissing my forehead.

“Whatever you say Elizabeth.” Gestures like this gave me hope for this man, but comments like this; ones that make me feel like a 2 year old made me doubt him just as much.

“This!” I exclaimed, “This is absolutely perfect!” I released my arm from his and stepped in front of the photo that I needed; the perfect one to be the centerpiece of the whole event.

“This?” Connor asked without an ounce of enthusiasm.

“Yes!” I could barely hold in my excitement.

“It’s a bird.”

“I know, it’s beautiful.” I sighed.

“You want to spend this much money on a blown up picture of a bird?” he shook his head in astonishment.

“I know you probably have a different opinion than mine, but I really like this piece.” Maybe if I keep whining he’ll buy it.

“Okay,” he exhaled slowly while wrapping his arms around my waist. “I’ll go tell your father. Go ahead and walk around, we have to talk about some other things too so I might be a while.” He kissed the crook of  my neck and released me to go to the other side of the room.

I ventured to a whole other room with most of the crowd; the room had larger works, some covering whole walls. I found another that had caught my eye, this one of an old man sitting all alone at a train station. He’s sitting on a bench wearing a coat and gloves, without any luggage, no one near him; all alone. It mainly caught my eye because of all the questions it raised. Who was he? Was he waiting for someone or going somewhere? Maybe he came back from somewhere? He didn’t only look lonely, he looked almost angry.

“What do you think about it?” A man’s voice disrupted me from my analysis of the photograph.

“I don’t really know,” I shrugged. “It kind of confuses me.” I turned to look at the stranger who was still examining the same picture.

“How so?” he finally looked back at me. I couldn’t help but notice his stature, slightly towering over me, and his warm dimpled smile also took me by surprise.

“Umm...it just raises a lot of questions.” I quickly turned back to the topic of our conversation and expected him to do the same, but I could still feel him staring at my profile.

“What kind of questions?” He pressed.

“Just, you know...” I wanted to dismiss the exchange of words and part ways already but that was clearly not his intention.

“No, I don’t think I do.” even with my head turned away from him I could tell he still had a smirk plastered on his face.

“Interesting...” I thought that would be the end of the chat but he pulled me away from the photo to the one adjacent to it, this one almost exactly the same, except this was one of an elder woman.

“How about this one?” He asked extremely close to my ear.

“Well this just confuses me even further!” I threw my hands out, getting to hear his great laugh rumble right next to me.

“I guess I’ll have to agree,” He stepped in front of me, blocking my view of the art. “I’m Harry” He stuck his hand out.

“I’m Elizabeth” I smiled, taking his hand to shake it.

“It was a pleasure meeting you Ellie” He bowed and made his departure somewhere behind me. Ellie? I couldn’t help but smile at the nickname. I’ve never been given a nickname, but I liked the way ‘Ellie’ seemed to sound coming from his mouth.