repetitive

eleven

Alexander uses one of Lily's patterns that she's drawn on his board to make the mural for the State Theater.

It's fun for everyone. Alexander walks up and down the sidewalk, helping my cast members paint and follow his outline, and once or twice a few of the teenagers start a paint war. I laugh when Lily follows Alexander around in this tall manner, wearing a matching painter's hat to his and repeating his words in a boss-like tone.

When it's half done, I see Lily up on Alexander's shoulders, painting part of the mural. I'm kind of dazed, just watching the smile on his face, the way his shoulders move when he laughs.

"Jackson?"

I jump and look over at one of my cast members who's giving me a funny look. She chuckles and steps over beside me, looking at Alexander. "Ogling?"

"No!"

"I'm a teenager, Mr. McKillan. I know what star-struck eyes look like."

"This isn't a school, you know you can call me Jackson."

"But I know it bothers you when I call you Mr. McKillan."

"Why'd I hire you again?"

"Because I pack more skills than Sandra Bullock. Now fess up, you two a thing?"

I sigh. It's not a big deal if I tell her, right? It's not like my cast would fire me as their director if I were dating another man. Besides, even a few of my members were dating a matching gender. I guess I've been on edge ever since Alexander lost his job over it.

"Yeah," I say. "We are."

"Cuuuuuute. Lily seems to really like him."

"Yes, she does."

"And do you?"

"Well of course."

"Do you love him?"

"Yes." Whoa shit, where did that come from? Oh God, shut up, subconscious.

Young Becky only giggles beside me, resting her hands on the back of her head. "Calling you Mr. Wills would be more appropriate then, huh?"

"Wha--get back to work!"

Grinning big, she salutes and turns away. "Yes sir, Mr. Wills!"

I give the back of her head a light hit before she's gone. When I turn back to look at Alexander, he's suddenly right in front of me. Lily is wearing his shades, still sitting up on his shoulders, allowing me to see Alexander's eyes. He looks scared. He slowly lowers the phone he was holding by his ear.

"Are you okay...?" I ask carefully as I step closer.

"Um..." He puts the phone back in his pocket. "We have a problem."

"What is it?"

"He's coming."

"Who? You're worrying me here."

He gulps, looking too terrified to answer. Then Lily happily exclaims, "His brother is going to visit!"

I've met the famous Bro Wills before, back in high school when I always use to go to Alexander's house. But we weren't dating back then. Which is probably why Alexander is nervous.

Lily helps me cook dinner for when Alexander and his brother come over. At the moment, he's picking up the older Wills at the airport.

When dinner is in the oven, I lean over the counter to watch Lily draw in her picture book.